146 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



PHEASANTS, ETC. Family PHASIANID/E. 



Ring-necked Pheasant. Phasianus torquatus. 



Several species of Pheasants have been introduced into the United States, 



among them being the Ring-necked, English, and 

 Green Pheasants. The ring-necked species seems 

 to be the only one that has obtained a really strong 

 foothold, it being now very abundant in Oregon 

 and Washington, and adjacent states, and also 

 found in abundance on many game preserves in 

 the east. The males of any of the species may at 

 once be distinguished from any of our birds by 

 the long tail. Their nests are hollows in the 

 leaves under tufts of grass or bushes. They jay 

 from eight to fourteen eggs of a buff or greenish 

 buff color, unmarked; size 1.50 x 1.30. 

 [Greenish buff.] 



310. Wild Turkey. Meleagris gallopavo silvestris. 



Range. Eastern United States from southern Middle States south to central 

 Florida and west to the Missis- 

 sippi Valley and eastern Texas. 

 J These magnificent birds, which 

 ^ once ranged over the whole of 

 eastern United States, are being 

 \ yearly confined to a smaller 

 range, chiefly because of the 

 destruction of their natural cov- 

 ers, and from persecution by 

 hunters. They are generally 

 very wary birds and either 

 escape by running through the 

 underbrush or by flying as soon 

 as a human being appears in 

 sight. Their nests are made 

 under tangled growths of under- 

 brush or briers. Their eggs, 

 which are laid during April and 

 May, range from eight to sixteen 

 in number. They are of a buff 



color sprinkled and spotted with brownish. Size 2.55 x 1.90. Data. Ham- 

 mond, La., April 17, 1897. Fifteen eggs. Nest hollow scraped in the ground 

 under a bush on the edge of a pine woods; lined with grasses and leaves. Col- 

 lector, E. A. Mcllhenny. 



[Buff]. 



3IOa. Merriam Turkey. Meleagris gallopavo merriami. 



Range. Southwestern United States from Colorado south through western 

 Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to Mexico. 



This variety is abundant throughout its range, its nesting habits and eggs 

 being practically indistinguishable from those of the eastern form. 



