CRANES, ETC. 
167 
310. Wild Turkey, le dindon sauvage. Meleagris gullopavo. L, 48-50. So nearly 
like our domestic Bronze Turkey as to require no special description. 
Distinctions. The only bird from which it 
is necessary to separate the Wild Turkey is the 
tame or domestic variety. The latter originated 
from Mexican stock and in consequence always 
shows a little white at the tip of the tail. The 
tail of the Wild Turkey ends in wood-brown. 
Distribution. Originally distributed over 
the whole of eastern North America to Maine 
and southern Ontario. 
SUBSPECIES. Several subspecies of Wild 
Turkey are recognized. The type form is found 
in Mexico. The Canadian bird is the Eastern 
Wild Turkey (le Dindon sauvage de l’Est) 
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris. 
The turkey as a wild form occurred 
in Canada only in southern Ontario and 
has been extinct for many years. At 
present the Wild Turkey remains only in 
the most out-of-the-way wooded localities 
of the wilder southern states and even 
there it promises to vanish soon. There is 
probably considerable native wild blood 
in the domesticated turkey flocks along 
specimens of so-called Wild Turkeys are 
Figure 237 
Turkey. Domesticated male in display. 
Lake Erie and a number of 
obviously at least half-bred with domestic birds 
The bird so commonly called “Wild Turkey” in the Prairie Provinces 
is not a turkey at all, but a crane of the order Cruiformes and an entirely 
different bird (See page 171). The true Wild Turkey has never been recorded 
in Canada west of southern Ontario. 
Order — Gruiformes. Cranes, Rails, etc. 
Consisting in Canada of two families, Gruidae cranes, and Rallidae 
rails, gallinules, and coots. 
FAMILY GRUIDAE. CRANES 
General Description. Large, heron-like birds; dull, slaty blue with or without rusty 
overwash; or pure white, with black primaries. All colours are in even, over-all tints and 
Figure 238 
Foot of Crane showing Figure 239 
elevated hind toe. Appearance of Crane in flight. 
there are no plumes or crests. 
Distinctions. Distinguished from the herons by having the forehead as well as the 
space about the eyes bare, or with a sparse sprinkling of peculiarly modified, hair-like 
