TIE TURKEYS. IG7 
vi. (1831); id. B. Amer. v. p. 42, pls. 287, 288 (1842); 
Tilliot, Monogr. Phasian. i. pl. 30 (1872); Bendire, N. 
Am, B. p.-112; pl. ni fig. 14 (1892 3. part): 
Adult Male.—Differs chiefly from JZ. gallofavo in having 
the lower rump, flanks, upper and under tail-coverts, and 
tail-feathers tipped with deep chestnut-maroon, and the white 
bars of the primary quills xa¢her narrower, but as wide, or 
nearly as wide, as the dark interspaces. 
Adult Female——Similar to the male, but distinguished by 
having the feathers of the lower back and under-parts fringed 
with chestnut, those of the nape extending to the crown, and 
the pectoral tassel and spurs wanting. 
Habits—‘‘ The breeding range of the Wild Turkey, the 
largest and finest of our game-birds, is yearly becoming more 
and more restricted, and at the present rate of decrease its 
total extinction east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio 
River is only a question ofa few years. . . . 
“The Wild Turkey is a resident wherever found. Numerous 
records attest the abundance of this magnificent game-bird 
throughout the Southern New England States in former years, 
and evidences of its existence have been found in Southern 
Maine. 
“The Wild Turkey is essentially a woodland bird, and in- 
habits the damp and often swampy bottom lands along the 
borders of the larger streams, as well as the drier mountainous 
districts found within its range, spending the greater part of 
the day on the ground in search of food, and roosting by night 
in the tallest trees to be found. From constant persecution 
in the more settled portions of its range, it has become by far 
the most cunning, suspicious, and wary of all our game-birds, 
while in sections of the Indian Territory and Texas, where it 
has, tiil recently, been but little molested, it is still by no means 
Beste DITde 
“These birds feed on beechnuts, acorns (especially those of 
