Tni3 roTJLTRY BOOK. 
27‘i 
than that of any other Turkey. The ^general appearance of the bird differs widely 
from that of the domestic species, as is evident from the subjoined very accurate 
engraving from the pencil of Mr. Wood. 
HONDURAS TURKEY, MELEAGRTS OC'EIJ.ATA. 
Wo need hardly state that this lovely species, which, could it but be naturalized, 
would be so great an ornament to our poultry yards, has no claim to be considered 
as the origin of our domestic species ; and we can only fall back upon the 
hypotheses of Mr. Gould or Professor Baird. 
Having thus fully discussed the vexed question of the origin of the Turkey, wo 
now come to the management of the animal as a domestic fowl. Of all the 
authors who have written on this bird, Mr. Trotter, v/ho, some few years since, 
published an essay in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, is by far the 
most sensible and practical writer that has come under our notice. The inform- 
ation he imparts is evidently the result of his own experience, and we have 
much pleasure in quoting his remarks on the subject, which are as follows : — 
There is a great difference of opinion respecting the age when turkeys are in 
their prime, and how long they continue profitable. I consider the cock to be at 
his prime at three years, and the hen at two years old ; whether they should bo 
continued to bo bred from after these ages depends on the discretion of the owner. 
Some cocks are famous for being the sires of a healthy offspring, and so are some 
