Family Phasianide
PHEASANTS, ETC.
With the exception of the Yucatan Turkey and the four races of our Wild Turkey, the some ninety species included in this family are in this family are inhabitants of the Old World, and are most numerously represented most numerously represented in southern Asia, where are found the Peacock, many of the Pheasants, , many of the Pheasants, and the Jungle Fowl, from which the varieties of our domesticated varieties of our domesticated fowls have descended.
WILD TURKEYS. 310. Meleagris gallopavo Linn. WILD TURKEY. - The Wild Turkey may be distinguished from the common domestic race chiefly by the may be distinguished from the common domestic race chiefly by the chestnut instead of white tips to the upper tail-coverts and tail. about 48.00-50; W., 21.00 ; T., 18.50; Weight 16-40 lbs." (Ridgw.). " & ad. I.., Range.-Eastern United States from Pennsylvania south ward to Florida, west to Wisconsin, the Indian Territory, and Texas. to Wisconsin, the Indian Territory, and Texas.
Washington, rare P. R.
Nest, on the ground, at the base of a bush or tree. Eggs, ten to fourteen, pale cream-buff, finely and evenly speckled with grayish brown, 2.45 X 195. cream-buff, finely and evenly speckled with grayish brown, 2.45 x 1.95.
This noble game bird is rapidly decreasing in numbers, and in comparatively few years will doubtless be found only in the parts of its range which are unfit for the habitation of man.
Except during the breeding season, Wild Turkeys are found in small flocks of six to twelve or fifteen individuals of both sexes. They flocks of six to twelve or fifteen individuals of both sexes. They roost preferably in the trees in wooded bottom-lands, returning each night to the same locality.
At the opening of the breeding season in March the male begins to gobble. As a rule, he calls only early in the morning, before leaving . As a rule, he calls only early in the morning, before leaving his roost. Later he sails to the ground and at once begins his search for breakfast, or, attracted by the plaintive piping of some female, he struts and displays his charms before her. It is at this time that battles between the males occur. tles between the males occur. They are polygamists, and the victor During the period of incubation, and while the young require their mother's care, the females do not associate with the males, who then flock together.
The calls of both sexes so closely resemble those of the domestic birds that it requires a practiced ear to distinguish them. In localithat it requires a practiced ear to distinguish them. In localities where both birds might be expected to occur, I could never be sure whether I was listening to the challenge of some defiant gobbler perched in a cypress in the valley below, or to the vainglorious effort of the lord of the poultry yard.
The Wild Turkey is divided by ornithologists into four closely related races. Meleagris gallopavo is the bird of the Eastern States; races. Meleagris gallopavo is the bird of the Eastern States; M. g. osceola, as stated below, is found in southern Florida; M. g. ellioti inhabits southeastern Texas and northeastern Mexico; M. g. mexicana ranges from western Texas to Arizona, and south over the table lands of Mexico to Vera