THE BIRD BOOK 
TURKEYS. Family MELEAGRID/E 
310. Wild Turkey. 
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris. 
Range. — Eastern United States from southern 
Middle States south to central Florida and west 
to the Missippi Valley and eastern Texas. These 
magnificent birds, which once ranged over the 
whole of eastern United States, are being yearly 
confined to a smaller range, chiefly because of the 
destruction of their natural covers, and from per- 
Buff 
secution by hunters. They are generally very 
wary birds and either escape by running through 
the underbrush or by flying as soon as a human 
being appears in sight. Their nests are made 
under tangled growths of underbrush or briers. 
Their eggs, which are laid during April and May, 
range from eight to sixteen in number. They are 
Sage Hen of a buff color sprinkled and spotted with brown- 
1 c 111 e> ish. Size 2.55 x 1.80. Data. — Hammond, La., April 
17, 1897. Fifteen eggs. Nest hollow scraped in the ground under a bush on 
the edge of a pine woods; lined with grasses and leaves. Collector, E. A. Mc- 
Ilhenny. 
310a. Merriam’s Turkey. Meleagris gallopavo merriami. 
Range. — Southwestern United States from Colorado south through western 
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to Mexico. 
This variety is abundant throughout its range, its nesting habits and eggs 
being practically indistiguishable from those of the eastern form. 
190 
