2j6 The Fowl-like Birds 



(Family Phasianida} 



The characters and limitations of this group have already been set forth, 

 the first of the four subfamilies into which it is divided comprising the 

 Turkeys (Subfamily Meleagrincs). 



Notwithstanding the obvious implication involved in the name, the Turkeys 

 are all natives of the New World, and the manner in which this popular designa- 

 tion came to be applied has long been and indeed still is a mystery, though 

 it has been suggested that it was given in imitation of their call note, likened 

 to the syllables turk, turk, turk. In some equally unexplained manner it appears 

 that they were confused with the African Guinea-Fowl by the early writers, 

 even the great Linnaeus falling into this error. So, also, the date in which they 

 were introduced into the Old World is largely a matter of speculation, though 

 it had certainly been accomplished by 1530, and very probably somewhat earlier. 

 It is more than likely that there were several, perhaps approximately simul- 

 taneous, importations, since at least two of the races seem to have been early 

 present, at least in England. 



The Wild Turkey, the largest of our game birds, ranges in eastern North 

 America, or rather once did, from Maine, southern Wisconsin, and Dakota 

 southward to the Gulf and westward over Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona into 

 the table-lands of Mexico, being represented in Central America by the very 

 distinct monotypic Ocellated Turkey. When this country was first settled the 

 Wild Turkey was found abundantly in many localities, such as southern New 

 England and the states of the Middle West, but with the advent of civilization 

 it has greatly decreased, until it is now practically extinct north of the Ohio 

 River, and even in the Middle and Southern- States it is comparatively rare, 

 being mainly confined to the thinly settled and wooded mountainous districts. 

 Originally it does not appear to have been particularly wild, but continued 

 and persistent persecution has made it excessively shy and difficult of approach. 

 It is perhaps most abundant now in portions of Florida, Indian Territory, and 

 Texas, but at the present outlook it seems not improbable that t^e close of the 

 twentieth century may see it practically extinct in a wild state. It is resident 

 where found, inhabiting by preference rather mixed woods, where it seeks its 

 food of acorns, beechnuts, seeds, nuts, berries, and insects of various kinds, 

 often scratching extensively amongst the leaves. The males are polygamous 

 and often engage in fierce battles for the favor of the females, and may often 

 be seen in the display attitudes so characteristic of the domestic bird. The 

 nest is a very simple affair, though often artfully concealed, consisting of a hollow 

 scratched in the ground to a depth of two or three inches and lined with a few 

 grasses and dead leaves. The eggs appear to vary in number from seven to 

 fifteen, though as many as twenty-six have been reported, but these were probably 

 deposited by two females. The young are cared for almost entirely by the female, 

 and usually but a single brood is reared in a season, unless the first happens to 

 be destroyed. 



