1/8 ITS INTRODUCTION INTO ENGLAND. 



the date of the reigns of these monarchs, the first turkies 

 must have been brought from Mexico, the conquest of 

 which was completed A.D. 1521." * 



" These facts," observes Mr. Blyth,f " are generally 

 known, but not the fact for which there is abundant 

 evidence, that the domestic turkey was introduced from 

 Europe into the North American colonies, where a 

 kindred wild species abounded in the forest." 



The origin of the English name turkey, as applied to 

 a bird indigenous to America, has provoked much dis- 

 cussion. The best explanation is that given by Mr. 

 Blyth, in the work last quoted \ : 



" It is certain," he says, " that the Guinea-fowl was 

 commonly termed the Turkey-hen in former days, and 

 hence a difficulty sometimes in knowing which bird is 

 meant by sundry old authors. As the Portuguese dis- 

 coveries along the west coast of Africa preceded those 

 of the Spaniards in America, there is reason to infer that 

 our British ancestors became acquainted with the guinea- 

 fowl prior to their knowledge of the turkey ; and the 

 English trade being then chiefly with the Levantine 

 countries, our ancestors may well have fancied that it 

 came from thence. Referring to a curious old dictionary 

 in my possession (published in 1678) for the word 



* It is observable, however, that in "The Privy Purse Expenses of King 

 Henry VIII." turkies are not once mentioned amongst the fowls to be provided 

 for the table. 



f "Journal Asiatic Society, Bengal," vol. xxix. p. 38. J Pp. 390, 391. 



