having heavily loaded a famous duck gun of his, placed it so as that he
could pull the trigger by means of a string, when quite concealed from
the birds. The Turkeys soon discovered the corn in the trench, and
quickly disposed of it, at the same time continuing their ravages in the
fields. He filled the trench again, and one day seeing it quite black with
the Turkeys, whistled loudly, on which all the birds raised their heads,
when he pulled the trigger by the long string fastened to it. The ex.
plosion followed of course, and the Turkeys were seen scampering off in
all directions, in utter discomfiture and dismay. On running to the trench,
he found nine of them extended in it. The rest did not consider it expedient
to visit his corn again for that season.
During spring, Turkeys are called* as it is termed, by drawing the air
in a particular way through one of the second joint bones of a wing of
that bird, which produces a sound resembling the voice of the female, on
hearing which the male comes up, and is shot. In managing, this, however,
no fault must be committed, for Turkeys are quick in distinguishing
counterfeit sounds, and when half civilized are very wary and cunning.
I have known many to answer to this kind of call, without moving
a step, and thus entirely defeat the scheme of the hunter, who dared
not move from his hiding-place, lest a single glance of the gobbler's eye
should frustrate all further attempts to decoy him. Many are shot when
at roost, in this season, by answering with a rolling gobble to a sound in
imitation of the cry of the Barred Owl.
But the most common method of procuring Wild Turkeys, is by means
of pens. These are placed in parts of the woods where Turkeys have
been frequently observed to roost, and are constructed in the following
manner. Young trees of four or five inches diameter are cut down, and
divided into pieces of the length of twelve or fourteen feet. Two of these
are laid on the ground parallel to each other, at a distance of ten or
twelve feet. Two other pieces are laid across the ends of these, at right
angles to them; and in this manner successive layers are added, until
the fabric is raised to the height of about four feet. It is then covered
with similar pieces of wood, placed three or four inches apart, and loaded
with one or two heavy logs to render the whole firm. This done, a trench
about eighteen inches in depth and width is cut under one side of the
cage, into which it opens slantingly and rather abruptly. It is continued
on its outside to some distance,.so as gradually to attain the level of the
surrounding ground. Over the part of this trench within the pen, and
close to the wall, some sticks are placed so as to form a kind of bridge
about a foot in breadth. The trap being now finished, the owner places
a quantity of Indian corn in its centre, as well as in the trench, and as he
walks off drops here and there a few grains in the woods, sometimes to
the distance of a mile. This is repeated at every visit to the trap, after the
Turkeys have found it. Sometimes two trenches are cut, in which case
the trenches enter on opposite sides of the trap, and are both strewn with
corn. No sooner has a Turkey discovered the train of corn, than it communicates
the circumstance to the flock by a cluck, when all of them come
up, and searching for the grains scattered about, at length come upon the
trench, which they follow, squeezing themselves one after another through
the passage under the bridge. In this manner the whole flock sometimes
enters, but more commonly six or seven only, as they are alarmed by the
least noise, even the cracking of a tree in frosty weather. Those within,
having gorged themselves, raise their heads, and try to force their way
through the top or sides of the pen, passing and repassing on the bridge,
but never for a moment looking down, or attempting to escape through
the passage by which they entered. Thus they remain until the owner
of the trap arriving, closes the trench, and secures his captives. I have
heard of eighteen Turkeys having been caught in this manner at a single
visit to the trap. I have had many of these pens myself, but never found
more than seven in them at a time. One winter I kept an account of
the produce of a pen which I visited daily, and found that seventy-six
had been caught in it, in about two months. When these birds are
abundant, the owners of the pens sometimes become satiated with their
flesh, and neglect to visit the pens for several days, in some cases for weeks.
The poor captives thus perish for want of food; for, strange as it may
seem, they scarcely ever regain their liberty, by descending into the
trench, and retracing their steps. I have, more than once, found four
or five, and even ten, dead in a pen, through inattention. Where
Wolves or Lynxes are numerous, they are apt to secure the prize before
the owner of the trap arrives. One morning, I had the pleasure of securing
in one of my pens, a fine Black Wolf, which, on seeing me, squatted,
supposing me to be passing in another direction.
Wild Turkeys often approach and associate with tame ones, or fight
with them, and drive them off from their food. The cocks sometimes
pay their addresses to the domesticated females, and are generally received
by them with great pleasure, as well as by their owners, who are