318 Animal Husbandry 
1541 and that they were reasonably plentiful in 1573 throughout 
the agricultural districts of England, yet these turkeys were of 
undoubted American origin. The wild turkey still abounds in 
the forest and mountainous regions of some of the Atlantic states, 
Mexico, and Central America. Like other wild game, however, it 
is rapidly disappearing, but owing to its shy nature, it is not likely 
to become extinct for many years. 
The wild turkey is easily tamed, especially if the eggs are taken 
and incubated under a hen. Possibly, because of the ease with 
which the tame, or domesticated ones, were crossed with the wild 
ones, a number of varieties have sprung into existence. The 
Standard of Perfection recognizes six varieties, the bronze, 
Narragansett, buff, slate, white, and black. 
In size the turkey ranks as the largest of fowls, the standard 
weight for adult males ranging from twenty-six pounds in the 
white to thirty-six pounds in the bronze, and the female from six- 
teen in the white to twenty pounds in the bronze. In general 
conformation, the turkey is rather up-standing, but with a broad, 
deep, full, and rather long body. Because of their size turkeys 
are useful for their meat, and considerable attention is given to 
raising them for market (Fig. 129). 
The turkey has a rather nervous disposition, and by nature 
possesses a roving habit. For best results, therefore, free range 
must be provided. They become nervous and restless when con- 
fined to limited quarters. Under such conditions, they will not 
grow. as large nor prosper so well as they will if given freedom. 
The turkey hen will lay from thirty to forty eggs in a season. 
The young fowls, when properly fed, furnish meat that is unexcelled 
as food. 
501. Ducks. — These are web-footed, short-legged water-fowls 
raised chiefly for their meat, there being but a limited market for 
the eggs, except for hatching. The Standard of Perfection rec- 
ognizes ten breeds and twelve varieties varying considerably 
in siz>, shape, and color. Among the common breeds, the adult 
