123 
of the United States . 
second and ninth subequal ; fourth and fifth longest. Tail 
of from fourteen to eighteen wide feathers, capable of being 
Vertically expanded. 
Female considerably smaller and widely different from the 
male. Young, at first, similar to the female, destitute of the 
bristly tuft. Feathers very long, truncated. Colours vary- 
ing in richness according to the incidence of light. 
Gregarious ; forming large flocks. Live generally in fo- 
rests, roosting on the branches of large trees : noisy at the 
dawn of day. Feed principally on maize and acorns, also 
on other vegetable, and even animal, substances. Courting 
their mates by strutting, puffing, wheeling, &c. ; very pug- 
nacious in the breeding season. Easily secured and domes- 
ticated. Flesh exceedingly good and much esteemed. 
Peculiar to North America; composed of but two species. 
202. Meleagrts gallopavo, L. Primaries dull blackish, 
banded with white ; tail of eighteen feathers, ferruginous, 
skirted with black, and with a black subterminal band. 
Male varying from black to refulgent coppery. 
Female and young, dusky-gray, with but few metallic re- 
flections. 
Wild Turkey , Meleagris gallopavo , Nob. Am. Orn. i. p 
79. pl> 9. male and female. 
Inhabits all North America to the Rocky Mountains : com 
mon in the western and southern states; nearly destroyed in 
the eastern and northern : domesticated throughout the 
world, producing endless varieties. 
39. PERDIX. 
Perdix , Briss. Lath . 111. Vieill. Temm. 
Tetrao , L. Gm. Cuv. Perdix , Coturnix , Ranx. 
Bill entire, bare : membrane of the nostrils naked : 
tongue, fleshy, entire, acute. Head wholly feathered ; often 
a naked space round the eye. Feet naked ; tarsus clypeate- 
