

RASORES. . 377 



former times, when it formed an important addition to great ban- 

 quets, being served up dressed in its own brilliant plumage. 



The TURKEY, (Meleagris gallopavo) was so called from an 

 erroneous impression, that it came originally from the country 

 of the same name. It appears to have been introduced into 

 Europe about the year 1600. The generic name is the Lat. for 

 Guinea-fowl ; the specific, is Lat. from gallus and pavo, combined. 



The habits of the Turkey, in a domestic state, are too well 

 known to need description, and its utility on the score of food, 

 most people are capable of appreciating. A few continue in a 

 wild condition in some of our Western States ; they are partly 

 migratory in their habits, moving in the latter part of October, 

 towards the Ohio and the Mississippi, seldom, however, using 

 their wings, except when attacked, or in order to pass over a 

 river. The stronger ones can cross a river of a mile in breadth, 

 but the weaker frequently fall into the river, and then paddle to 

 shore with some rapidity. C. L. Bonaparte, in his "American 

 Ornithology," speaks of an ingenious method in which the 

 Turkey escapes the onsets of large Owls, by suddenly " drop- 

 ping his head, squatting, and spreading the tail over his back, in 

 which case the Owl glances over him without doing any injury. 



This fowl lays in the spring, usually, from fourteen to eighteen 

 eggs, which are white, mixed with yellow or reddish freckles. 

 Dr. Franklin expressed a wish that the Turkey, rather than the 

 Bald Eagle, had been selected as our national emblem. In point 

 of character and usefulness, it certainly much transcends the 

 latter bird. 



The COMMON PHEASANT, Phasianus Colchicus, is now spread 

 over the greater part of the Old World. Fable says, it was 

 introduced into Europe "by Jason and his companions, who 

 brought it from Colchis in the good ship Argo." In size, this 

 bird is about equal to the domestic Cock. Its plumage presents 

 the finest tints of beautiful yellow and green, united with the 

 richest ruby and purple, set off with spots of glossy black. The 

 long wedge-shaped tail, partakes of the beautiful coloring of the 

 body, and the whole bird has an air of great elegance. Several 

 varieties have been produced by climate and domestication, such 

 as the White, the Pied, and the Ringed Pheasant. 



The GOLDEN PHEASANT, P. pictus, is among the rare species. 

 It is a native of China, and remarkably elegant in its plumage. 

 The tail of this bird is longer and more richly tinted than that 

 of the European species; it is distinguished by a crest, which 

 can be raised at pleasure. Cuvier supposes this Pheasant to 

 be the Phoenix of Pliny. But the most splendid of the tribe, is 



