Colour of the Wild Turkey. 



513 



to a resplendent green-black or purple, and showing in the sun the most magnificent chromatic 

 tints, which no portrait can possibly reproduce. Most of the feathers on the body are margined 

 with black, but there is a total absence of pure white on any feather of the whole body, this feature 

 being one distinct mark of the pure wild American breed, though almost every other colour may be 

 observed under the play of light upon the plumage. The latter is very close and hard, so that the 

 bird weighs more even than the apparent size would lead any one to suppose. The eyes are bright 

 hazel. The hairy tuft on the breast of the male is often nearly a foot long. This feature is often 



OCELLATED TURKEY (AFTER DR. BREHM). 



absent in the female, which is not much more than half the size of the male, or " gobbler," and 

 is also much less gorgeous in colour. 



Our coloured plate is taken from a bird sent over specially by Mr. W. Simpson, and which he 

 states to be of pure wild descent, but bred in confinement, being the produce of old wild birds. He 

 showed his wild blood in a very marked manner on arrival in England, but gradually settled down 

 in his new quarters. It should be noted that the attitude by no means represents that of the wild 

 Turkey when at liberty, as it was found impossible to take any portrait of him except in a small 

 pen, which of course took away from the free carriage which is so striking when at liberty. This 

 bird was of moderate size, but splendid in colour and condition. 



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