614 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



downy thigh feathers are valued in the household. They are good layers and excellent 

 mothers, generally mating quite early. They are not, however, bred very extensively in this 

 country, as the bronze and some of the other varieties are much larger at the same age, and 

 at maturity command a higher price in the market. 



The Black Turkey. The black turkey is more commonly bred in this country than 

 the white, and is generally regarded as more hardy than the latter. It is bred in France 

 more commonly than any other variety. The pure bred birds of this variety have a plumage 

 of a rich metallic black, the color of the legs a dark lead or slaty black. Among the com 

 mon domestic copper-colored birds, many will be found of a dark color, nearly black, but 

 these are only mongrels. Adult cocks of this variety, weighing less than twenty pounds, 

 and hens weighing less than twelve pounds, are considered disqualified for the show-pen. 



The Buff Turkey. This variety is also considerably smaller than the Bronze, but 

 will average about the weight of the white and black varieties. It is quite common in the 

 United States, being frequently seen upon the farms where turkeys are raised. The color of 

 the plumage is a clear buff throughout; the legs of a bluish- white or flesh color. The 

 plumage of the hen is similar to that of the cock. 



The Slate Turkey. This bird differs from the three preceding varieties described 

 principally in the color of its plumage, which is throughout of a very handsome slaty or 

 ashy blue. The legs are light or dark blue. It is very rare, being seldom represented at our 

 poultry shows. 



The Crested Turkey. This is an exceedingly rare bird, and may be regarded as 

 quite a curiosity in the turkey family. Main says of it: &quot; Although not of very recent date, 

 the subjugation of turkeys has already produced marked varieties in our climate. The most 

 remarkable is that of the tufted (or crested) turkey, as yet very rare, and whose tuft is some 

 times white, sometimes black in color.&quot; A turkey of this variety, and from which the accom 

 panying illustration was made, was exhibited a few years since at a New York poultry show, 

 and attracted great attention. Temmick speaks of this bird as a &quot;sport&quot; only, and differing 

 from the American wild turkey merely in the provision of a crest or tuft. In breeding, the 

 crest is not always reproduced in the progeny, although with care in selection, for this object, 

 this feature could probably become a marked characteristic, if desired. 



The Ocellated Turkey. This is a native of South America, where it is now found 

 in a wild state. It breeds well with our domestic turkey, and the progeny is quite fertile, 

 but it seems best adapted to a warm climate, both the pure-bred fowls and cross-breeds being 

 too tender for our severe Northern climate; hence, it is unknown as a domesticated bird in 

 the United States and Europe, although it was domesticated for centuries in Mexico before 

 the conquest of that country by the Spaniards. It is the most elegant and brilliant in 

 plumage of the whole genus. The ground color is bronzed green, banded with gold 

 bronze and glossy black. Low down the back the color is deep blue and red ; upon the tail 

 the bands become fully defined and sharp, producing the peculiar ocellated or eye-like mark 

 ing which gives the name to this species. The wattles are also very peculiar, and the head 

 and upper portion of the neck are covered with wart-like protuberances, as shown in the 

 cut on page 617. 



General Management Of Turkeys. To those who understand the proper method 

 of rearing turkeys, and have the necessary appliances and conveniences, it is not a difficult 

 thing to accomplish, and always proves a profitable business when skillfully managed. In 

 order to attain the highest success, considerable care and skill are essential, together with a 

 knowledge of the habits of this fowl. In rearing large, strong turkeys, much depends upon 

 the selection of the breeding stock. Farmers are generally very careless and indifferent in 



