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THE BBEEDS OF TURKEYS. 33 



extreme, for they are often exceeded, although a thirty-two- 

 pound turkey is a large bird. 



The Narragansett turkey has a striking plumage. The 

 feathers of the neck, back, breast and body may be 

 described as deep black, terminating with a broad light- 

 gray band margined with black. The large wings have 

 black bows, which show a bronzy luster in the sunshine; 

 the flight feathers, including both primaries and sec- 

 ondaries, are black, or nearly black, barred with white or 

 gray; and the wings, when folded, show two distinct nar- 

 row bars across them. The tail feathers are black, barred 

 irregularly with brown, and end in a broad black band 

 margined with white or gray, generally a very light gray. 

 The shanks and toes are, in color, a deep salmon or brown. 

 The plumage of both sexes is the same, except that the 

 plumage of the male is more distinct in its markings and 

 deeper in color. The female is the lighter colored speci- 

 men, its gray being usually of a paler shade. 



This coloring makes the Karragansett a distinguished 

 looking bird. The contrast between its black and its gray 

 causes the markings co stand out well, and the effect is ex- 

 tremely pleasing to the eye. There are not wanting those 

 who believe that this coloration is really more beautiful 

 than that of the magnificent Bronze, with its richer lines 

 and more abundant luster. 



The size of the variety and its attractive coloring are 

 sufficient reasons for a desire to have it more extensively 

 bred than it is. It has a sufficient degree of hardiness 

 and the other practical qualities, to warrant a renewed 

 interest in one of the best varieties of the turkey. It cer- 

 tainly ought to become more common in its original home, 

 and not allow so many birds really inferior to it to occupy 

 its place. 



The Narragansetts are not so large as the Mammoth 

 Bronze. Their plumage is a metallic black, each feather 

 terminating in a broad, light steel-gray band, edged with 



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