GALLINACEOUS BIRDS 



310b. Florida Turkey. Meleagria gallopavo osceola 



Range. — Southern Florida. 



A small variety of the Wild Tur- 

 key, about 42 inches long. They 

 breed in the tangled thickets in the 

 higher portions of the southern 

 half of Florida, laying from ten to 

 sixteen eggs of a brighter and 

 deeper buff color than the northern 

 variety, and smaller; size 2.30 x 

 1.75. Their nests are generally lin- 

 ed with grasses and occasionally 

 with feathers. The female sits 

 very close when incubating and will 

 not fly until almost trod upon, 

 trusting to her variegated marls 

 ings to conceal her from observa- 

 tion. Greeni 



sh buff 



310c. Rio Grande Turkey. Meleagris gallopavo intermedia. 



Range. — Lowlands of the southern parts of Texas and northern Mexico. A 

 sub-species which differs slightly in plumage and not at all in nesting habits or 

 eggs from the common Wild Turkey. 



CURASSOWS AND GUANS. Family CRACID^ 



311. Chachalaca. Ortalis vetula mccalli. 



Range. — Eastern portions of Mexico, north 

 to the Lnwi r Rio Grande Valley in Texas. 

 A very peculiar grayish colored bird with a 



i Jhach 



Buffy white 



— £t 

 greenish gloss to the back, and a Long, broad 



tail, quite hum legs, and with the face anl 



Bides of the throal devoid of feathers. They 

 are ver) abundant birds In some localities, and very noisy during the breeding 

 on, their notes resembling a harsh trumpeting repetition of their name. 

 They are ground Inhabiting birds, but nesl In lew bushes. Their nests are 

 made of sticks, twigs, leaves, or moss and are generally frail, flat structures 

 only a few feel above the ground. During April, thej laj from three to five 

 buffy white eggs, the shell of which Is verj rough and hard. Size 2.25x1.65. 



l'.U 



