

SCRATCHING BIRDS — GALLIN.E. 



Genus MELEAGRIS, Linnaeus. 



Meleai/ris, LixN,=ED9, Syst. Nat. 1735. (Type, Milairjrix (jaUojHiro, Linn.) 



Sp. Char. Legs with transverse scutella: before and behind ; reticulated laterally. 

 Tarsi with spurs. Tail rounded, rather long, usually of eighteen feathers. Forehead with 



a depondinp; fleshy cone. Head and the upper half of the neck without feathers. Breast 

 of male in most species with a long tuft of bristles. 



Tlie aliove cliagnosis will be sufficient to distinc;nisli the true turkeys from 

 their allies, the nearest being NKmida, according to most authors. Three 

 species are known to naturalists ; tlie ^^•il(l turkey of the Eastern Fniteil 

 States {M. ijaJlopavo), the M. Mcxicana, and the M. occUatn, or peacock tur- 

 key of Honduras. The latter .species is tlie smaller, and liy far the most 

 varied in coloration, resembling the peacock in the pattern of some of its 

 markings. 



