From the Associated Press November 22, 2006 6:47 PM EST
RAMSEY, N.J. Some wild turkeys, it appears, were trying to get out of New Jersey before Thanksgiving Day. A spokesman for the NJ Transit said train officials reported a dozen or so wild turkeys waiting on a station platform in Ramsey, about 20 miles northwest of New York City, on Wednesday afternoon. The line travels to Suffern, N.Y.
"For a moment, it looked like the turkeys were waiting for the next outbound train," said Dan Stessel, a spokesman for NJ Transit. "Clearly, they're trying to catch a train and escape their fate."
Transit workers followed the bird's movements on surveillance cameras. "I have no idea how they got there.", Stessel said.
A Ramsey police dispatcher said the department had received three calls about the traveling turkeys who also were blamed for causing morning rush hour traffic problems on the roadway.
"From time to time, I've heard calls that there are turkeys on the loose," said Eric Endress, president of the Ramsey Rescue Squad, a volunteer group. "Maybe they're trying to make a break."
Turkeys have always had a reputation for being dumb birds, but then if they were spotted on the platform waiting to board a train, perhaps they knew they would ultimately end up on someone's dinner table!
CANADIANPACIFIC2816
Here's a security cam photo: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/11/22/turkeys_try_to_catch_train_out_of_nj/?p1=MEWell_Pos2
Mark
If you are a hunter, then you know turkeys are in reality, quite smart, and very aggressive.
A Tom will defend himself, and can kill a dog if cornered.
Ben Franklin wanted the Turkey as our national bird, instead of the Eagle; because the turkey is a survivor, and a fierce warrior, where as the eagle is easily scared, and often has to survive off of carrion.
Ed
23 17 46 11
Its the domesticated turkeys (the white ones) which have the reputation for being dumb since they were breed for size and not intelligence. Wild turkeys (the brown ones) are way different.
Think that Franklin also noted that the wild turkey was an uniquely American species, while the eagles were spread throughout the world - in fact, other countries, including Germany have used the eagle as a symbol. But all it takes is seeing a bald eagle in flight to understand why Franklin lost that fight!
Quentin
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