174 



Ocellated turkeys, endemic to Mexico, are diurnal frugivore-omnivores that forage on the 

 ground (Paynter, 1955a, 1955b). They occur as solitary individuals or mated pairs. Ocellated turkeys 

 are found in forested areas adjacent to fallow areas or agricultural fields (Leopold, 1977; MacKinnon 

 Vda. de Monies, 1989). 



At Ejido X-Hazil y Anexos, plant material (primarily fruits and seeds) composed 92.9% (15 

 taxa reported), by percent volume, of ocellated turkey stomach contents, whereas animal material 

 composed 3.8% (one taxon reported). A total of 17 taxa of food items were reported (Figure 5-1; 

 Appendix X). Among birds at Ejido X-Hazil y Anexos, ocellated turkeys ranked fourth among four 

 taxa in percent volume of fruits and seeds in the diet and ranked third in the total number of taxa of 

 food items consumed. Elsewhere, the diet consists of fruits, seeds, and insects (Leopold, 1977). 



In simunary, fruits and seeds were the primary food items at Ejido X-Hazil y Anexos for both 

 birds and mammals, by percent occurrence and volume, for 9 of the 11 taxa analyzed (Figure 5-1). 

 Among mammals, the paca, agouti, coati, and white-lipped peccary consumed relatively large 

 proportions of fruits and seeds (^ 92% by volume), while the collared peccary consumed a moderate 

 proportion (58% by volume), and the brocket deer and white-tailed deer consumed relatively low 

 proportions of fruits and seeds (33% and 18% by volume, respectively; Figure 5-1). The brocket deer 

 and white-tailed deer, on the other hand, primarily consumed leaves (42% and 57% by volume, 

 respectively). Among birds, all four taxa primarily consumed fruits and seeds (68-96% by volume). 

 Animal material, primarily invertebrates, was important in the diet of three taxa; coati, thicket tinamou, 

 and ocellated turkey. Food habits for game birds and mammals at Ejido X-Hazil y Anexos generally 

 agree with those reported elsewhere. 



Crop Species Consumed bv Game Species 



The consumption of crops is critical to the theory of garden hunting (Linares, 1976). Whereas 

 Linares (1976) described garden hunting only with respect to terrestrial mammals, at Ejido X-Hazil y 

 Anexos, both game birds and mammals consumed crops. 



