Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-09-13
Fl WILD TURKEY.

The author dwells at much length on
the DESCRIPTION Of the Wild Turkey,
which is accompanied with a beautiful
drawing. He asserts mantully the cri
ginal claim OF America to this bird
The first certain account Of it, he says
was written in 1875, by 0yiedo, in his
history OF the West indies. II was sent
from Mexico to Spain. in the early part
OF the sixteenth century, aud thence to
England about the year 1924. BY de.
grees il spread over Europe, and within
a century was introduced into Asia,
Africa, aud the European Colonies
The origin of the English name, Turkey,
as applied to this bird, is a little singu
lar. IL was first brought to England at
q time when it was customary 10 denote
articles of luxury from foreign coun
tries by this appellation, aud as this bird
was a delicacy of novel and rare occur
renee, ii took the same name. This
error was perpetuated from the circum
stance OF lie being supposed 10 haVe
come, through Spain, IRON ASIA or
Africa. Some naturalists represent 1t
as having been known TO the ancienfs,
but they confounded il with the Guinea
Fowl The Turkey is In fact indigenous
in America, and was a stranger to the
old world till after the discoveries OF
Columbus. MIR. Bonaparte has given a
lisl OF twenty seven different names, by
which It's called among different Tribes
of Indians. From the authors full des-
c~ription of this bird, we shall select
two or three paragraphs. in which are
exhibited some OF its habits.
"Wheu about to cross a river, they
select the highest eminences, that their
flight may be more certain, and here
they sometimes remain for a day OF
more, as if for the purpose OF consuita
ton, or to be duly prepared for so haz
ardous q voyage. During this time the
males gobble obsirePerousiy. and ssrn,
with extraordinary importance, as u
they would animate their companions,
and inspire them with the utmost do
gree of hardwood; the females and
young also assume much oil the pemp-
Gus air of the males, the former spread
ing their tails, and moving silently a.
round. Al length the assembled multi
tuds mount the tops ofthe highest trees,
whence, at a signal note from a
leader, the whole together wing their
way towards the opposite shore. All
the old and fat ones cross without difI
Guilty. even when the river exceeds a
mile in width; but the young, meagre,
and weak. frequently fall sbcrt of the de
sired landing, and are forced TO swim
for their lives. This they do dexterous.
ly enough, spreading their tails for a
support, closing their wings u the
body, stretching their necks forwards,
and striking out quickly and ioreibly
with their legs. If in thus e~ndeavoring
to gain the land, they approach an sie-
waited or inaccessible bank, their exer
lions are RENTED, they resign them
selves TO the stream ior a short time,
in order 10 gain strength, and then with
one violent effort escape from the wa
ter. But in this attempt all are not sue
cessful; some OF the weaker, as they
cannot rise sufficiently high in the cir to
clear the bank. fall again and again IN
10 the water, aud thu miserably perish.
Immediately after these birds have sue.
ceeded in crossing a river, they for some
time ramble about without any apparent
unanimity of purpose, and a great ma
ny are destroyed by the hunters, altho'
they are then least valuable"
These birds are guardians Of.
each other, and the FIRST who sees a
hawk or eagle gives a note of alarm,
on which all within hearing lie close TO.
the ground As they usually roost 10
fiocks, perched on the naked branches
of trees, they are easily discovered BY
the large owls. and when attarked by
these proving birds often escape by a
somewhat singular The
owl sails roundthe spotto select bis prey;
but Notwithstanding the almost maud
BILE action of his pinions, the quick ear
oil one of the s~lumherers perceives the
danger, which is Immediately
ed TO the whole party by a chuck; thus
alarmed, they rise on their legs, aud
watch the motions of the owl, who,
darling like an arrow, would inevitably
secure the individual at which he aimed,
did not the latter suddenly drop his
head, squat, and spread his tail over his
back; the owl then glances over with
out infiicting any injury. at the very m