New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-25

every direction the largo birds would together
IN their rlIshes They were entirely occupied with
each other and their usual caution was cast to the
winds. The mountainecr crept 4 few feet closer,
and. bringing his gun 20 his shoulder, fred. Both
birds dropped over md the battle was won. When
weighed on the scales the birds together footed up
sixty-threo and a half pounds, nearly thirt;-two
pounds EACH They gigantic fellows, and hold
the record for this nelghborhod. A singular part
81 the story is that gobbcrs never far pre-
vioysly known, battle with each other In the fall.
Every male bird, however, Is mortal enemy d the
others IN the spring, and then battles nyal are
numerous.
A party was Immediately organized and the two
New-Yorkers invited to go along, The snow
continued 10 fall, and the promise was made that
by daylight tho on the mountains would be
from twelve to fourteen inches on the level, just
fright for days hunt In tho hills. il was not long
after midnight when the warmly clothed hunters
started for the hills. 1t was the intention 10 reaca
the "White Horse" bare spot on peak which az
n distance. looked not unlike a white horse, before
sun-up.
Plckets were then posted on the highest points
and sun rise was eagerly awaited Another party
then started along the ridge to look for the turkey
trac chs which every was hopeful II finding Day
was lust breaking when the self.apponted captain
discovered The tell tale tracks. Tie tracks led
st,airh along the ridge and after consultation, the
city boys were tod TO follow the traci's at slow
race. The captain made wide dctour and was 20
gain the top Of the mountain aoout me y ,Sss
lie knew the habits Of the mountain birds better
than his city friends thought.
the trail which extended along the ridge In perfect
order as far as the eye could reach. After travelling
several hundred yards two turkeys weio seon about
ARD Ssg eqg gs lHss out out Of rss s41
In the rear THO hunters restrained the desire to
rush forward and get shot knowins that II tht
birds paid no attention TO anything In front Of
them being content 10 keen their pnrsucfs IN light
but Just out Of range Twenty minutes SAT- aner rhe
from the captains gun and the gobbler tumIed
over. The second shot, however, was not 50 &C.
peak, whore sentinel bad been posted earlier In
the morning. A few minutes later another rport
rang out and the sentinel on the peak gave e me
hunisman brings to tac ground HIS first tirFcy. -,
appetites Of The gunner called for fuel. 1 nrc
was built. coffee brewcd. lacon fried. and tie
hunters did full Justice TO their simple meal: Ihe
lclets we're then sent back 10 their posts ard the
hunters scattered through III" woods in an effort 10
rush more game. Phcas1nts whlrred IN every
direction. and the merry crack Of the sho'rns was
beard on every hand. An occasional TURKEY WIZ
flushed but they generally flew up our OF range, ara
nrarly gwsyS mace tor the peaks and the scnlin"s or
As the afternoon advanced. the captain sriGa a
bunch o. rArS , son hnrn bv he crcp
Lad sitccecGcd In trceinc The birds Tlica we made
night. TIE captnin saw that his ltte band retired
carly. For said he eve mnst make an early
have those birds long before daylight His in
structions to lie down under the tree with the
sonn az the turkey could he distinguished in The
tree, 20 Ere The least noise wonld have ihgh,cned
and tic second day equally as enjoyable as the
first.