7a HQC COS.— TURKEYS.— PEACOCKS. 



9. The HoccGs, — Jlector, — are large gallinaceous birds of 

 America, analogous to Turkeys, with a large round tail, com- 

 posed of twelve large, stiff quills; their beak is thick, stout, 

 compressed at the sides, surrounded at the base by a naked 

 skin, which is sometimes gibbous ; the tarsi are elongate and 

 without spurs ; they have four toes, three before and one behind, 

 the latter resting a part of its length on the ground. These 

 peaceful birds are easily tamed, and keep in great forests and on 

 mountains. They seek their food on the ground, and perch upon 

 the highest trees. Some nest on the large branches of trees, and 

 others on the ground. Their nest is composed externally of 

 dried branches and moss, and internally of leaves : they lay from 

 two to eight eggs. In some parts of America Hoccos are reared 

 as poultry. Their head is ornamented with a tuft of elevated 

 feathers which are curled at the end. 



10. Turkeys, — Meleogris, — have the head and top of the neck 

 covered by a papillated skin which is destitute of feathers ; under 

 the throat, there is an appendage which hangs from the neck, and 

 on the front, another conical appendage which lengthens and 

 swells in the male during excitement. A pencil of stiff hairs or 

 bristles hangs from the lower part of the neck of the male ; the 

 tail coverts, which are shorter and stiffer than in the Peacock, 

 can be erected in the same manner, so as to form a circle ; the 

 males have feeble spurs. Turkeys, of which only two species 

 are knovrn, are originally from America, whence the Jesuit 

 missionaries introduced them into Europe. The first Turkeys 

 appeared in France in 1570, and were served at the wedding 

 of Charles IX. They have been naturalised in all climates on 

 account of the excellence of their flesh, 



1 1. Peacocks, — Pavo, — have a moderate, conical, curved beak, 

 which is naked at the base ; the superior mandible is convex and 

 vaulted ; the head, which is covered with feathers, is ornamented 

 with a crest ; the tarsi are armed behind with a conical spur ; 

 but the most remarkable characteristic of these birds is, that the 

 upper tail coverts in the male, are longer than the quills, and may 

 be elevated when he spreads his tail. The Common Peacock, — 

 Pavo cristatus, — has the head crowned with a crest of twenty- 

 four straight feathers, and the feathers of the rump, which have 

 a floating or loose beard, are of unequal size, being shorter in 



9. What are the characters of Hoccos ? What are their habits ? 



10. How are Turkeys characterised ? To what part of the world are 

 they indig-enous ? When were Turkeys fiisl used in France ? 



11. How are Peacocks characterised? What are the characters of the 

 Common PeacDck ? Are they found wild in any part of the world ? 



