They were wild turkeys that had found what had seemed to be a secure roosting place in the swamp.
Tom knew that the meat of the little bear was nearly exhausted, and here was more food come to their hand.

"We're five pow'ful feeders, an' we'll need you," he murmured, looking up at the turkeys, "but you kin rest thar till nearly mornin'." He knew that the turkeys would not stir, and he went back to the hut to resume his watch.

Just before the first dawn he awoke Henry.
"Henry," he said, "a lot uv foolish wild turkeys hev gone to rest on the limb of a tree not twenty yards from this grand manshun uv ourn.

'Pears to me that wild turkeys wuz made fur hungry fellers like us to eat.

Kin we risk a shot or two at 'em, or is it too dangerous ?" "I think we can risk the shots," said Henry, rising and taking his rifle.