178 ITS INTRODUCTION INTO ENGLAND. 



the date of the reigns of these monarchs, the first turkies 

 must have been brought from Mexico, the conquest of 

 which was completed A.D. 152 1." * 



" These facts," observes Mr. Blyth.f " are generally 

 known, but not the fact for which there is abundant 

 evidence, that the domestic turkey was introduced from 

 Europe into the North American colonies, where a 

 kindred wild species abounded in the forest." 



The origin of the English name turkey, as applied to 

 a bird indigenous to America, has provoked much dis- 

 cussion. The best explanation is that given by Mr. 

 Blyth, in the work last quoted \ : — 



" It is certain," he says, " that the Guinea-fowl was 

 commonly termed the Turkey-hen in former days, and 

 hence a difficulty sometimes in knowing which bird is 

 meant by sundry old authors. As the Portuguese dis- 

 coveries along the west coast of Africa preceded those 

 of the Spaniards in America, there is reason to infer that 

 our British ancestors became acquainted with the guinea- 

 fowl prior to their knowledge of the turkey ; and the 

 English trade being then chiefly with the Levantine 

 countries, our ancestors may well have fancied that it 

 came from thence. Referring to a curious old dictionary 

 in my possession (published in 1678) for the word 



* It is observable, however, that in "The Privy Purse Expenses of King 

 Henry VIII." turkies are not once mentioned amongst the fowls to be provided 

 for the table. 



f "Journal Asiatic Society, Bengal," vol. xxix. p. 38. % Pp. 390, 391. 



