. The naturalist's library; containing scientific and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects; . he bill short and thick, basecovered with a naked skin; head and upper part of the neck invested with a naked, tuber-culatedskin; a loose caruncle on the upper part of the bill; throat with a longitudinalpendulous, and carunculated wattle; tarsi of the male with an obtuse and weak spurwings short; tail of eighteen feathers spreading into a circle. AVES—WILD TURKEY. 595 settled parts of the Union, but are not numerous in Florida, Georgia, or theCarolinas. They ar
. The naturalist's library; containing scientific and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects; . he bill short and thick, basecovered with a naked skin; head and upper part of the neck invested with a naked, tuber-culatedskin; a loose caruncle on the upper part of the bill; throat with a longitudinalpendulous, and carunculated wattle; tarsi of the male with an obtuse and weak spurwings short; tail of eighteen feathers spreading into a circle. AVES—WILD TURKEY. 595 settled parts of the Union, but are not numerous in Florida, Georgia, or theCarolinas. They are very rare in the northern and eastern parts of theUnited States. They were formerly abundant in Canada, but as their placesof resort become settled and thickly peopled, they retire and seek refuge inthe remotest recesses of the interior. In New England it appears to havebeen destroyed many years ago, but they are still found in the eastern partsof Pennsylvania and New Jersey. These birds do not confine themselves to any particular food, but eat corn,berries, grapes, barley, tadpoles, young frogs, and lizards. Their favorite. food, however, is the pecan nut, and acorn. Where there is an abundantcrop of acorns, there numerous flocks of turkeys maybe expected. In thefall, they direct their courses in vast numbers to the rich lands on the bor-ders of the Ohio and Mississippi. The males and females travel separately,but all in the same direction. Before crossing a river, they assemble cm thehighest eminences, and remain there as if in consultation for a day or , after due preparation, the leader gives a signal note, and they their way to the opposite shore. Some of the young and weak tallinto the water, and are obliged to swim for their lives, using all the mean*m their power, and the most violent exertion, to reach the shore. Many. 596 AVES—WILD TURKEY. however, perish in the attempt. It is observed that, after these journeys, theturkeys are so familiar, tha
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookidnaturalistsl, bookyear1851
