90 
WILD TURKEY. 
the swiftest hunter cannot overtake them. The traveller, driving 
rapidly down the declivity of one of the Alleghanies, may some¬ 
times see several of them before him, that evince no urgent desire 
to get out of the road; but, on alighting, in hopes of shooting 
them, he soon finds that all pursuit is vain. 
In the spring, when the males are much emaciated by their at¬ 
tendance on the females, it sometimes may happen that, in cleared 
countries, they can be overtaken by a swift cur-dog, when they will 
squat, and suffer themselves to be caught by the dog, or hunter who 
follows on horseback. But from the knowledge we have gained 
of this bird, we do not hesitate to affirm, that the manner of running- 
down Turkeys, like Hares or Foxes, so much talked of, is a mere 
fable, as such a sport would be attended with very trifling success. 
A Turkey hound will sometimes lead his master several miles, 
before he can a second time flush the same individual from his 
concealment; and even on a fleet horse, after following one for 
hours, it is often found impossible to put it up. During a fall of 
melting snow, Turkeys will travel extraordinary distances, and are 
often pursued in vain by any description of hunters; they have then 
a long, straddling manner of running, very easy to themselves, but 
which few animals can equal. This disposition for running, during 
rains, or humid weather, is common to all gallinaceous birds. 
The males are frequently decoyed within gunshot, in the breeding 
season, by forcibly drawing the air through one of the wing bones 
of the Turkey, producing a sound very similar to the voice of the 
female: but the performer on this simple instrument must commit 
no error, for Turkeys are quick of hearing, and, when frequently 
alarmed, are wary and cunning. Some of these will answer to the 
call without advancing a step, and thus defeat the speculations of 
the hunter, who must avoid making any movement, inasmuch as a 
single glance of a Turkey may defeat his hopes of decoying them. 
By imitating the cry of the Barred Owl, (Strix nebulosa ,) the 
hunter discovers many on their roosts, as they will reply by a 
