346 
TEl'RAONWJE. 
not been a specimen taken in New England for many years and the same is quite true 
of many other sections of country equally large. Turkeys are, however, still common in 
Florida, so common, in fact, that I have several times observed flocks from the deck of the 
steamers that run up the St. Johns, and there is scarcely a hummock in the state, that is 
not inhabited by them. They are, however, wary birds and know well how to take care 
of themselves. 
The Wild Turkeys of (his section, feed about the dry hummocks all day but at night, 
usually return to the swamps, often flying some distance to reach a favorite roost. When 
feeding, during the early morning, they may be approached quite closely, and if surprised 
in this way, they will often conceal themselves; then one may nearly tread upon them be¬ 
fore they will rise. I once landed from my boat upon a heap of debris on the banks of the 
St. John’s River, to pick up a Great Carolina Wren which I had shot, leaving my gun be¬ 
hind me, when a large Gobbler rose from directly beneath my feet, so near, that I could feel 
the wind caused by the motion of his wings, and disappeared in the swamp. When aware 
of the approach of an intruder, they will merely run away and, at such times, will not 
take wing, even if shot at. 
During the winter, the Turkeys of Florida remain in flocks but toward spring, they 
become separated, and at this season, near the middle of the day, I have frequently seen 
solitary individuals sitting upon the lower limbs of some cypress which overhung the riv¬ 
er, evidently enjoying a noontime siesta. At this season, the males gobble and call from 
the swamps before leaving in the early morning, and also after arriving upon their feeding 
ground. These fine birds breed in May in Florida, placing the nests in some secluded 
locality, usually in a dry hummock or along its edge, and the females sit closely, seldom 
rising until approached quite nearly. 
Observations which I have made upon this species, tend to show that they were the 
ancestors of the Domestic Turkeys; at least, the two varieties breed freely together, pro¬ 
ducing fertile offspring which are everywhere in the South, regarded as superior to the 
domestic stock. Those which I have seen which were of mixed races, were fine looking 
birds and retained much of the dark, iridescent plumage of their wild progenitors. 
FAMILY II. TETRAONIDJE. THE GROUSE, ETC. 
Head and neck , completely feathered , while the tarsus is more or less covered. Top 
of keel ? equaling in length the depth of the inner marginal indentations. The tip is produced 
forward. 
The terminal expansion of the furcula, is wide, rounded posteriorly, and does not ap¬ 
proximate close to the sternum. Upper process of manubrium, produced forward. The 
costal process is narrow, tapering toward point which is, however, rounded. The bone at 
the extreme outer edge of sternum, beyond the outer marginal indentation, is not very 
wide. There is a large perforation through the manubrium, and the sternum in front of keel, 
is furrowed, but there is no very prominent central ridge. Nostrils, feathered, and there 
is a naked space above eye. Toes, provided with scale-like fringes on the sides. 
