Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1877-01-03
wild Turkey Traits.
(From Rod and Gun.l

(From Rod and Gun.l
This noble bird may be considered
as both migratory and gregarious,
migrations arising mainly from scar
city Of food or Of greater abundance
elsewhere, to which they are gradual
" 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
in great numbers to the rich bottom
lands Of the Ohio and Mississippi.
Their food consists of grains, grasses,
acorns, berries, fruits and insects,
neither arc tadpoles, young frogs,
and lizards, despised. When there
is an abundant crop of acorns fiocks
of turkeys may be expected. 1t Of
ten occurs that rivers are to be cross
ed during these migrations. When
arrived at the banks they assemble
on the highest eminences and there
remain for hours, and even days, rs
il in consultation, or perhaps to re-
cruit their strength for the undertake
ing While thus waiting the males
employ their time in gobbling and
strutting about with expanded tails
and lowered wings, making with the
latter drumming or booming sound
Even the females often initiate these
movements. AT last, mounting the
trees and highest emlnenccs. at
given sigaal from the chosen leader
they wing their way TO the opposite
shore. The old birds easily cross,
but should the stream he wide, the
young and feeble frequently miss the
goal desired and fall into the stream,
when they swim ashore. They swim
with no little dcxterity 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,
ana, falling back from their repeated
AMI unsuccessful attempts, are over
powered ny fatigue and perish in
the water.
Towards the latter part OF Febru
ary or early III March the love season
commences, and The females separate
and endeaycr to hide from the males,
while the latter, with almost inter-
mitted gobbiiDg, seek them in all di-
rections. At early morn tho notes
OF the males may be heard as he
stands upon his perch, but rs the
sun rises he drops TO the ground and
begins TO strut with tail spread and
elevated, wings dropping, feathers
ruilled, head and neck drawn back,
meantime emitting pulling sound,
evidently in hope OF his lordly pres
ence being recognized by some watch
ful female. AT such times, when
males meet n fierce battle cnsues,
ending only in the death or flight of
the weaker. Audubon states that
the act OF tho victor in trcading upon
his dead opponent Stimulates not
hatred, but rather the motions cm
poyed In carcssing the female. This
! cannot verify, neither can dispute,
having witnessed but one such bat.
tie, and then the victor returned
again and again 10 crafty his rage
upon the fallen foe, seemingly sus.
pecting that the death Of bis oppo,
ncnt was fcigned. The turkey is
polygamous, one male often leading
flock OF 20 hens until they COM
mcnce to lay, when the females sep.
aratc and seek to hide themselves
from the males, who arc only too apt
TO destroy the eggs in order to pro
long their amonrs. The nest is yc.
ry rude structure, being n straight
hollow scrapcd inthe ground in some
dry and sheltered place, and hlled
with wltliered leaves or dry grass.
Ihese are usually found on rising
ground NJ the edge OF marshes,
siashcs, or thiekets, evidently for the
security the latter give the young.
III one case know, ol wild turkey
building her nest III the top OF stub
some cight iect IRON the ground, the
s.up DeigS PFotectcdD Dy the thick
Top Q, u iaiieh Tree. The nest con-
ta'nea only SIX eggs. These were
carefully removed and placed under
sitting hen who hatclled them all
seven days latter. AS the nest of q