186 
MELEAGRIS GALLOPAVO. 
The young* of both sexes resemble each other so 
closely, before the naked membrane acquires its tinge 
of red, as to be scarcely distinguishable ; the females, 
however, when a few days old, are somewhat larger 
than the males, and have a weaker piping note; the 
males then begin to stand higher on their legs, which 
are stronger than those of the females, and soon exhibit 
the rudiments of spurs. On the approach of the first 
winter, the young males shew a rudiment of the beard 
or fascicle of hairs on the breast, consisting of a mere 
tubercle, and attempt to strut and gobble ; the second 
year the hairy tuft is about three inches long ; in the 
third the turkey attains its full stature, although it 
certainly increases in size and beauty for several years 
longer. In a fine male specimen, evidently young, which 
I obtained in the Philadelphia market, the plumage is 
equally brilliant with that of the finest adult, although 
the frontal caruncle is only one inch in length, the 
pectoral appendage two inches, and the spur merely 
rudimental. The concealed portion of the plumage on 
the anterior part of the back is sprinkled with pale fer- 
ruginous, which disappears as the bird advances in age. 
Females of four years old have their full size and 
colouring ; they then possess the pectoral fascicle, four 
or five inches long, (which, according to Mr Audubon, 
they exhibit a little in the second year, if not barren,) 
but this fascicle is much thinner than that of the male. 
The barren hens do not obtain this distinction until a 
very advanced age ; and, being preferable for the table, 
the hunters single them from the flock, and kill them 
in preference to the others. The female wild turkey 
is more frequently furnished with the hairy tuft than 
the tame one, and this appendage is gained earlier in 
life. The great number of young hens without it, has 
no doubt given rise to the incorrect assertion of a few 
writers, that the female is always destitute of it. 
of the year, has become proverbial in many Indian languages. An 
Omawhaw , who wishes to make known his abject poverty, says, 
“ Wah pawne zezecah ha go ha , — I am as poor as a turkey in 
summer. ” 
