GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



441 



The Turkeys (Meleagris, have the head and the upper part of the 

 neck covered by a soft skin, which is destitute of feathers. Under the 

 throat there is a fleshy appenda,£;e that liangs from the neck, and 

 another of a conical form from the forehead ; these in the male become 

 turgid dining excitement. A bunch of stiff hairs, likewise, is ap- 

 pended to the breast (>{ the male. The tail coverts can be raised so 

 as to form a circle, and the males have feeble spurs. Turkeys, of 

 which only two species are known, are originally from Amei'ica, 

 whence the Jesuit missionaries introduced them into Europe. The 

 first Turkeys appeared in France in 1570, and were served at the 

 wedding oif Charles IX. They have since been naturalized in all 

 climates on account of tiie excellence of their flesh. 



The Peacocks (Pavo) have the head covered with featliers and or- 

 namented with a crest ; the legs are armed behind with a conical 

 spur ; but the most remarkable cliaracteristic of these birds is, that 



F[<;. 368. — PEACOCK. 



in tlie male the upper tail coverts are longer than the quilLs, and may 

 be elevated when he .spreads his tail, the feathers of which are of lui- 



u 3 



