THE RELATIONS OF BIRDS TO MAN 381 



swans, and guinea fowls. The geese are supposed to be derived 

 from the graylag goose, which at the present time nests in the 

 northern British Islands. Most of our domestic breeds of ducks 

 have sprung from the mallard. This beautiful bird inhabits 

 both North America and temperate Europe and Asia. The 

 common peacock of the Indian peninsula, Ceylon, and Assam 

 has been domesticated at least from the time of Solomon. It 

 has been distributed by man over most of the world. The swan 

 is, like the peacock, used now chiefly as an ornament. The 

 mute swan of Central Europe and Central Asia is the common 

 domesticated species. The guinea fowl is a native of West 

 Africa. Farmers usually keep a few of them to " frighten away 

 the hawks." 



The turkey is a domesticated bird that has been brought under 

 control within the past four centuries. Our Puritan ancestors 

 found the wild turkey abundant in New England. It was 

 introduced into Europe early in the sixteenth century and soon 

 became a valuable domestic animal. In its wild state, it is now 

 almost extinct except in some of the remoter localities. Our 

 domestic turkeys are descendants of the Mexican wild turkey. 



REFERENCES 



Birds in their Relation to Man, by C. M. Weed and N. Dearborn. — J. B. 



Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, Penn. 

 Useful Birds and their Protection, by E. H. Forbush. — Published by the 



Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture. 

 Game Birds, Wild-Fowl and Shore Birds, by E. H. Forbush. — Published 



by the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture. 

 Bulletins and Circulars published by the Bureau of the Biological Survey, 



U. S. Department of Agriculture. 

 (See also end of Chapters XXXIV and XXXV.) 



