VOL. LXXI.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 37 



Bat the former is confirmed by that able and honest navigator Dampier, who 

 saw them frequently, as well wild as tame, in the province of Yucatan, now 

 reckoned part of the kingdom of Mexico. 



In North America they were observed by the very first discovered. When 

 Rene de Laudonniere, patronized by Admiral Coligni, attempted to form a 

 settlement near the place where Charlestown now stands, he met with them on 

 his first landing in 1564, and by his historian has represented them with 

 great fidelity in the 5th plate of the recital of his voyage: from his time the 

 witnesses to their being natives of the continent are innumerable. They have 

 been seen in flocks of hundreds in all parts from Louisiana even to Canada; but 

 at this time are extremely rare in a wild state, except in the more distant parts, 

 where they are still found in vast abundance. 



It was from Mexico or Yucatan that they were first introduced into Europe; 

 for it is certain, that they were imported into England as early as the year 

 1524, the 15th of Henry vm. We probably received them from Spain, 

 with which we had great intercourse till about that time. They were most 

 successfully cultivated in our kingdom from that period; insomuch, that they 

 became common in every farm-yard, and became even a dish in our rural feasts 

 by the year 1585; for we may certainly depend on the word of old Tusser, in 

 his Account of the Christmas Husbandlie Fare, in the Five Hundred Points of 

 good Husbandrie, p. 57- 



Beefe, mutton, and porke, shred pies of the best, 

 Pig, veale, goose, and capon, and turkie well drest, 

 Cheese, apples, and nuts, jolie carols to heare, 

 As then in the countrie, is counted good cheare. 



But at this very time they were so rare in France, that we are told, that the very 

 first which was eaten in that kingdom appeared at the nuptial feast of Charles ix., 

 in 1750. 



To this account I beg lervj to mention the very extraordinary appearance on 

 the thigh of a turkey, bred in my poultry-yard, and which was killed a few 

 years ago for the table. The servant in plucking it was very unexpectedly 

 wounded in the hand. On examination, the cause appeared so singular, that 

 the bird was brought to me. I discovered, that from the thigh-bone issued a 

 short upright process, and to that grew a large and strong toe, with a sharp and 

 crooked claw, exactly resembling that of a rapacious bird. 



VII. Of a Nebula in Coma Berenices. By Edward Bigot, Esq. p. 82. 

 On the 23d of March, 17 79, Mr. P. discovered a nebula in the constellation of 

 Coma Berenices, previously he presumes unnoticed; at least not mentioned in 

 M. de Lalande's Astronomy, nor in M. Messier's ample Catalogue of nebulous 



