E TURKEY, AND ITS VARIETIES. 



in. The Common Titrkey. 



1177 



The common turkey is white and black mottled, having the head and 

 wattle of the wild turkey. They are of medium size, and, probably 

 from the fact that they have been more generally disseminated and longer 

 domesticated than the other varieties, they are less inclined to wander* 



SLATE TURKEY HEN. 



When simply dollars and cents are concerned, they are the most profit- 

 able to breed, since they are hardy, of medium size, and mature early. 

 They will weigh, fat, at eight months old, from eleven to twelve pounds, 

 and, when fully grown, sixteen pounds. 



IV. The Ocellated Turkey. 



This is one of the most elegant of the whole genus ; it is a native of 

 Central America, and is found wild all over that region. It breeds kindly 

 with our domestic turkey, and the progeny remains quite fertile, but 

 both the true and cross breed are too tender for the North. Our bronzed 

 green and gold turkeys undoubtedly owe their markings to this variety. 

 The ground color of the plumage of the Honduras, or Ocellated turkey, 

 is bronzed-green, banded with gold-bronze and shining black ; lower down 

 the back the color is deep blue and red ; upon the tail the bands become 

 fully defined and sharp, producing the peculiar oceliated or eye-like ap- 



