TURKEYS. 



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tribe, the cock is much more showy in plumage than the female. The Ocellated or South 

 American wild Turkey is also very brilliant in plumage. The original wild species were black, 

 bronze, and white mottled ; but we now have them of any color, being bronze, black, buff, 

 slate, white, etc. 



The Bronze Turkey. This variety of turkey has never yet had a rival, and 

 probably never will have, with those who raise these birds for market, on account of their 

 large size and hardiness. They are the largest and without doubt the best of the domestic 

 varieties. The bronze variety was produced by a cross of the wild turkey upon the common 

 turkey hen, the produce being improved by careful selection and breeding. The ground 



THE MAMMOTH BRONZE TURKEY. 



color of this variety is mostly black, being variagated upon the wings and tail with brown, 

 white, and gray, while nearly the entire plumage shows reflections in a bright light, of the 

 most brilliant bronze, with rich and changeable colors. 



The best specimens of this variety are described as follows: In the cock, the head, face, 

 jaws, and wattles, are a rich red; the head long, broad, and carunculated; beak strong, curved, 

 of a light-brown color at the tip, and dark at the base ; eyes dark hazel, bright and clear. 

 The neck, breast, and back, of a brilliant bronze hue, which glistens in the sunlight with a 

 golden tint, each feather terminating in a narrow band, which extends across the end. The 

 plumage of the under part of the body is similar, but somewhat less brilliant. The body 

 should be long, deep through the center, and well rounded ; the hind part well supplied with 

 soft fluff. 



