96 MANUAL 



FAMILY XXXV MELEAGRIDAE THE WILD 



TURKEYS 



Latin Meleagris (Greek similar) " a Guinea hen." 

 This family needs no special technical definition in order 

 that the young student may identify its members. In the 

 present instance the family, sub-family, and specific diagnosis 

 would be the same. The curiously naked head and neck with 

 its warty outgrowths {caruncles), the fleshy " clew-lap " [or laps], 

 the breast " tassel," the spurs of the male, and the general ap- 

 pearance of the plumage, all bear indisputable testimony to 

 the characteristics of the Turkeys. We have at present but 

 one genus, and two possibly three species. 



Genus, Meleagris, The Wild Turkey and ally. 

 (Gallopavo = also Meleagris). 



FAMILY XXXVI TETRAONIDAE THE PAR 



TRIDGE GROUSE AND aUAIL 



Latin tetrao, Greek tetraon, a heathcock, moorfowl. 

 This family is one of such especial interest throughout the 

 length and breadth of our land that it is worthy of more than 

 passing mention. Probably to no family, at least among the 

 Land Birds, is more general attention drawn than to this 

 one. The distinctions between the Grouse, the Partridges, and 

 the Quail, are " fine points " ill ornithological science ; and it 

 "is sufficient here to say, that the scientific and the popular sig- 

 nifications for the individuals in question are often greatly at 

 variance. We shall endeavor to give the student only the cor- 

 rect technical scientific equivalent for each species — and then peo- 

 ple may call them what they please to suit their own conve- 

 nience. This family constitutes the great majority of the 

 Land Game Birds of North America — and its species are 

 found North, South, East, and West : everywhere in this our 

 grand old continent. The woods, the plains, the mountain 

 regions, and the prairies, are alike inhabited by members of 

 this family. Formerly, the Grouse and the Quail were made 

 separate families ; but this does not seem necessary, for the 



