NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 151 



fourteen eggs, and varying in shape from oval to that of the usual 

 shape of hen's eggs, and some specimens taper to a smaller point at 

 the smaller end than do those of the domestic fowl. They are of a 

 light greenish-drab or pale olive-buff or a drab shaded with bufi, thickly 

 freckled with small rounded spots of reddish-brown and dark chestnut, 

 occasionally with large blotches and spots. Mr. Rougis gives the 

 measurements of six specimens as follows: 1.75x1.33,1.63x1.17, 

 1.69 X 1. 18, 1.63 X 1. 17, 2.25 X 1. 51, 2.23 X 1.48.* 



A set of eggs in the cabinet of J, Parker Norris were taken May 

 26, 1881, near Fort Steele, Wyoming Territory. The nest was on the 

 ground, under a sage bush. The eggs are of a greenish-brown, 

 speckled and spotted with Vandyke brown. They are of an elongate- 

 ovate shape, and measure 2.28x1.58, 2.25x1.48, 2.18x1.52, 2.14x1.51, 

 2.23 x 1.50, 2.16 X 1.54, 2.29 X 1.53, 2.18 X 1.52, 2.13 X 1.50, 2.12 X 1.48. 



310. Meleagris gallopavo Linn. [470^]. 



"Wild Turkey. 



Hab. Eastern United States, north to southern Canada, south to Florida and eastern Texas, west to 

 the Great Plains. 



This is the bird which so very much resembles the domestic tur- 

 key, but is more brilliant in color. It is a constant resident in suitable 

 localities throughout Eastern United States. It occurs as far north as 

 Canada; is probably extinct in New England, and is found as far 

 northwest as the Missouri river, and southwest as Texas. But this 

 grand bird is rapidly becoming exterminated, not only as it is in New 

 England, but in other sections of the country. In Ohio it was formerly 

 an abundant resident, breeding throughout the State ; now quite un- 

 known in the more thickly settled portions, but still common in some 

 of the northwestern counties. Dr. Kirtland (1850) mentions the time 

 when Wild Turkeys were more common than tame ones are now. 



Mr. Thomas Mcllwraith, in his admirable work on the Birds of 

 Ontario, says that within the recollection of people still living, Wild 

 Turkeys were comparatively common along the southwestern border of 

 Ontario, and that the day is not far distant when this bird will be sought 

 for in vain in the province. f 



Mr. Edwin C. Davis reports the Wild Turkey to be very common in 

 the vicinity of Gainesville, Texas, hundreds being brought to market 

 and sold during the winter months. The nests of this bird, he says, 

 are very difficult to discover, as they are made on the ground, midst 

 tall, thick weeds or tangled briers. The female will not leave the nest 



* Young Oologist, Vol. I, pp. 76-77. 

 tThe Birds of Ontario: pp. 130-130. 



