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Chapter XLVII. 
TURKEYS. 
The Turkey is a familiar bird to nearly everyone. Residents in the Cities notice them exposed for sale, their 
peculiar habits, haunts, and dispositions are only known by those in the country who breed them, and few 
even of those have any knowledge whatsoever of the history and origin of this valuable and useful bird, and 
how it came by the name it bears. 
The Domestic Turkey, now bred in Europe, America, and Australia, is originally descended from the 
Wild Turkey, found in the forests of North America, though, however, Wild Turkeys are indigenous to some 
parts of Australia and South America. 
The first Turkeys introduced into Europe were taken from the West Indies to Spain early in 
the sixteenth century, and shortly afterwards were taken to England by merchants who traded with Turkey, 
and thus, it is supposed, they came by their name. When first introduced into England, they were kept in 
parks as ornaments. At one time as many as two thousand had accumulated in the Royal Park, at 
Richmond, England, and in less than fifty years after their introduction they became so common that every 
Farmer was able to serve them up at the Christmas dinner. The Brush Turkey, found in this country and 
also South America, and the common Wild Turkey, found in some of the coastal districts of America, are 
not nearly so handsome and attractive as the North American, and neither attain the size of the latter. The 
White Turkeys are sports from the common kind, but by skilful breeding these have now been perpetuated, 
and are known as White Holland Turkeys. 
The most peculiar feature in the domestication of the Turkey is the loss of size and stamina, wild birds 
having been killed in America upwards of 50 lbs. in weight, and this was a common occurrence. The 
American Wild Turkey differs considerably from the ordinary Domestic Turkey, the head and neck being a 
mixture of blue and red, the legs pink or red, eyes bright hazel, and the colour of the body plumage a 
magnificent copper bronze, changing to a dazzling iridescent green-black or purple. In this variety the 
majority of the feathers are, more or less, margined with brilliant black, there being no admixture of white 
on any part of the body. This is evidently a strongly distinctive characteristic, as, possibly, every other 
known colour is displayed upon the plumage. The feathers lie very close, making the bird very deceptive 
in weight. The hairy tuft growing on the breast of the cock often exceeds a foot in length. The female has 
often this appendage, but at times it is entirely absent. AVhen present, it has not the splendour of the cock's, 
and rarely exceeds five or six inches in length. The Mexican Turkey differs but slightly from the American 
Wild Turkey, the chief point of difference being the presence of white feathers among the tail and coverts. 
This variety breeds with the Wild or Domestic races. 
The Honduras, or Oscillated Turkey, is found in Honduras, Yucatan, and throughout Central America, 
this variety being, without doubt, the handsomest of all, and will breed freely with the Domestic Turkey, 
but requires a warm or tropical climate to do well. iVlany attempts have been made to acclimatise this 
magnificent bird throughout North America, but up to date have signally failed, though stock have been bred 
from them and the Domestic Turkey. This variety should do exceedingly well in the Australasian 
Colonies. 
The Brush Turkey, or Wattled Talegalla, is found in Australia, New Guinea, Celebes, and the Philippine 
Islands. Their habits differ considerably from those of other varieties. This bird is also known as the New 
Holland Vulture, and is found in this Colony in great numbers. The Brush Turkey grows to a fair size, the 
plumage being of brownish-black colour, the lower part of the head and neck being covered with fleshy 
protuberances. The flesh is excellent eating, and the bird is easily domesticated. They make their nests in 
c I 
