MEXICAN TURKEY. 185 
become quite numerous and was freely used as an article 
of food. In the days of the Emperors of Mexico 
Montezuma _ possessed extensive Zodlogical Gardens, 
and many of these birds were given to the wild beasts for 
food. Certainly they had no fault to find with the fare 
served to them. The Mexican Turkey, as I have said, is 
possibly a somewhat larger bird, and exhibits a good 
many of the metallic tints of its Eastern relative, yet it 
can hardly be regarded as equally beautiful, as the white 
on the rump detracts greatly from the general brilliancy 
of its appearance. Still it is a magnificent game bird, 
and is worthy to be compared with its rivals of the 
Eastern and Northern portions of the United States. 
MELAGRIS GALLOPA VO. 
Geographical Dzrstribution.—Western Texas to Arizona, 
Table-lands of Mexico. 
Adult Male.—Rather larger than the average common Wild 
Turkey, and with fully as much of the brilliant metallic coloring 
so conspicuous in its better known relative. The principal dif- 
ferences exhibited by the present bird are the upper tail-coverts, 
which are broadly tipped with white, barred posteriorly by a 
band of black, the rest of the feathers being metallic bronze ; 
tail, very dark brown, especially toward the tip, spotted and 
vermiculated with black and tipped with white ; feathers on 
lower part of flanks and under tail-coverts are also tipped 
with white; the primaries are white, barred with blackish brown, 
apparently more white visible on the webs than of the other 
color; head and neck, bare, red. Measurements and weights 
vary considerably among individuals, and those given for the 
common Wild Turkey will answer for this one also. There is 
a long bunch of stiff black bristles pendent from the chest. 
Adult Female.—Smaller and with much less of the metallic 
coloring, and without the pendent bristles or ‘‘ beard.” 
