The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-02-17
The Wild Turkey.

This noble bird may be considered as
both migratory and gregarious migrations
arising mainly from scarcity Of food or Of
greater abundance elsewhere, TO which
they are gradually led by finding the
supply increase as they advance, rather
than from any particular instinct Of their
own. In the fall they direct their course
to the rich bottom lands of the Ohio and
Mississippi Their food consists Of grains,
grasses, acorns, berries, fruits and insects
neither are tadpoles, young frogs and liz
ards sdespised When there is an abundSnt
crop Of acorns Aocks Of turkeys may be
expected. 1t often occurs that rivers arc
to be crossed during these migratious.
When arrived at the banks, they assemble
on the highest eminenees and there remain
for hours, and even days, as if in consul
tation, or, perhaps, to recruit their strength
for the undertaking.
While thus waiting, the males employ
their time in gobbling and strutting about
with expended tails and lowered wings,
making, with the latter, drumming or
booming sound Even the females often
initiate these movements. At last, mount
ing the tree and highest emiuenees, at
given signal from the chosen leader, they
wing their way to the opposite shore
The old birds easily cross, but should the
stream be wide, the young and feeble
frequently miss the goal desired and fall
into the stream, when they swim ashore.
They swim with no little dexterity, by
closing their wings and expanding their
tails for support, striking out rapidly with
their long and powerful legs. When the
banks are steep, as is frequently the case,
many are unable to ascend, and falling
back from their repeated and unsuccessful
attempts, are overpowered by fatigue, and
perish in the water.
The nest is very rude structure, being
a straight hollow scraped in the ground
in some dry and sheltered place, and filed
with withered leaves or dry grass. These
are usually found on rising ground at the
edge of marshes, slashes, or thickets, eYi-
IDENTIFY for the security the latter give the
young. In one case, | know Of wild
turkey building her nest in the top Of a
stub some eight feet from the ground,
the stub being protected by thick top
Of fallen tree. The nest contained only
six eggs. These were carefully removed
and placed under a sitting hen, which
Matched them all seven days later. As
the nest of wild turkey usually contains
from ten to eighteen eggs, | am led to
believe that this unusual selection of
site for nest was due to the former ones
having been destroyed The females
alone incubate, carefully concealing the
nest, approaching it always with great
caution and from a different point, and
covering the eggs with dry leaves when
leaving in search of food, and bravely de- !.
Tending them against depredators.
1t is said that three or four females
will lay in one nest, one always remaining
as guard while the others seek food.
This am inclined TO doubt and unless
the turkey is far more astute than suppos-
ed, there would be some difficulty in d.
viding the progeny, particularly if one or
two eggs failed TO hatch, and would cause
no small amount Of turkey talk, to be
settled by some grave old gobbler capable
of acting the Solomon. Possibly they
may pool progeny as well as eggs. The
eggs are of dull cream color, splotched
with red. The young run as soon as
Matched, and are covered with a delicate
hairy down. They are very tender and
easily killed by cold or wet. To guard
against the latter catastrophe, the first