Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets 



The Heath Hen is almost extinct, being restricted to the 

 island of Martha's Vineyard, where they are "in imminent 

 danger of total extinction." 



310. Wild Turkey: Meleagris gallopavo Linn. 



Differing in some degree from the darker varieties of the 

 domestic turkey, the smaller wattles and the dark buff or chest- 

 nut tip to the tail coverts and tail are characteristic of the wild 

 bird. Th6 adult male is very much larger than the female, weigh- 

 ing usually about 25 pounds, and sometimes as much as 40 

 pounds, while the female weighs about 8 pounds. Length of 

 adult 3 — 48.00. 



Breeding Range — Canada to Florida ; extinct in New England. 



The nest is built on the ground among briars and thick 

 weedy places. 9 to 13 eggs are laid (some writers putting the 

 number as high as 24). They are cream-coloured with fine brown- 

 ish-red spots. Size — 2.55 X 1.80. 



Unfortunately, the Wild Turkey is becoming so scarce that 

 in a few years' time it will be a rare bird. Laws made for its 

 preservation were adopted too late, and in many places are utterly 

 disregarded, which means that the birds will become restricted 

 to inaccessible places, such as the large tracts of swampy wood- 

 land. It has never been my good fortune to find a wild turkey's 

 nest, so I cannot give any original data in connection with their 

 breeding habits. During the mating season each male fights for 

 the possession of a drove of hens, varying in number from 4 to 

 about 8 or even more ; at other times the two sexes flock to- 

 gether, though it is usual for the very old gobblers to remain 

 solitary. Mr. Davis says that when the eggs are once touched 

 the female will abandon her nest. 



31 Ob. Florida Wild Turkey: M. g. osceola Scott. 



The Florida Wild Turkey varies but little from the more 

 northern species, being somewhat smaller, darker in colour, and 

 has irregular white markings on the wings in place of the wide 

 white bars. 



Breeding ^a«^if— Southern Florida. 



SS 



