no GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



dogs, the huntsman can come up in shooting distance and kill 

 his game. Take it whatever way they may, a good^ fat Wild Tur- 

 key is no mean game to take home, whether after patient waiting 

 or a long tramp. 



All of these methods, however, have so strong a flavor of pot- 

 hunting about them, that the sport of turkey killing, unless the 

 arm employed be the rifle, or the bird be shot on the vring, would 

 probably present but few charms to many of our readers. Still, 

 old turkey hunters, and some of the best and keenest sportsmen 

 of the South and Southwest come under this head, are wonder- 

 fully enthusiastic about this sport, and declare that there is no 

 game bird equal to the Wild Turkey. 



It is from the bird of the extreme Southwest, New Mexico, 

 Arizona, and Mexico, that the domestic Turkey seems to be de- 

 scended. It differs from the Eastern variety in the coloration of 

 the tips of the upper and lower tail coverts and tail feathers, these 

 being white in the former while they are fulvous or chestnut red 

 in the latter. Dr. Coues has determined the two former to be 

 merely varieties of the same species, the Eastern race having been 

 called Meleagris gallopavo var. ATnericana, and the Westera 

 Meleagris gallopavo sax. gallopavo. 



Wild turkey are becoming so scarce now, that there are few 

 places where they can be found in any numbers. Probably the 

 Indian Territor)- is now the best region in which to shoot them. 

 October, November, December, and January are good months 

 in which to secure them. 



