Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-09
CHRISTMAS TURKEYS.
Truth I'm Regard to the Origin of the
Great Yankee Bird.

Some more or less inaccurate remarks re-
speeding the origin of the turkey, which
contributes so much to the enjoyment of
Christmas and Thanksgiving, were copied
into The Star the other day from a medical
journal. II is due TO this noble fowl that
the facts about IT should be set straight
Whence it was derived was long a mys-
terry. but is SO no longer. The points in the
case have been established beyond dispute.
Among the Injuries belonging to the high
condition of civilization exhibited by the
Mexican nation at the time OF the Spanish
conquest was the possession by Montezuma
OF one Of the most extensive geological gar
dens on record. 1t embraced nearly all OF
the animals OF that country, with others
brought at great cost from distances. IL is
stated by historians that turkeys-called by
the Spanish Adventures "a kind of pea
cock"-were furnished in large numbers as
FOOD TO the beasts OF prey In the emperors
menagerie.
AT that time the bird had been domesti-
Gated and reared in Mexico for hundreds or
years. 1t was carried by the Spaniards TO
the West Indies, whence it was taken TO Gu
rope early in the sixteenth century. Before
long IL became in Europe highly appreciat-
ed for its flavor, Being known to be of for
eign origin, report gained ground that the
fowl had been obtained from Turkey. that
being a region little known in western Eu-
rope. In this way it obtained the name by
which il has since been designated.
People coming TO the United States from
Europe brought this Mexican fowl TO the
United States and the progeny of the stock
thus imported and fetched back to the con-
tnent whence IL was originally derived fur
nishes Yankee tables today. In fact, the
contemporary turkey of the barn yard did
not belong here originally. Ii is not de-
rived from the wild turkey of the United
States, which is quite another species. with
dark meat on the breast and other differ
ences plainly distinguishable. On the other
hand, the wild Mexican turkey has white
meat on the breast and resembles our tame
turkey in all other points.
There are two species of wild turkey In
North America. one is confined TO the
eastern and southern parts of the United
States, while the other is native TO the
Rocky mountains, parts Of Texas New
Mexico, Colorado. Arizona. and extends
along cas- TERN Mexico southwark. Zoolo-
gists were a long time finding this out, be-
ing puzzled meanwhile TO account for the
marked differences in color and habits be-
tween the wild and domestic birds OF the
country. That dark-meated fowl should
acquire white meat through domestication
would seem indeed surprising.
In Its wild state the Mexican turkey de-
rives nourfshment from plants and insects
scratching with its feet for food Ii is very
shy. The birds live in families like Wild
geese, keeping sentinels on the watch when
the flock is feeding. They are so heavy
that they are not fond of taking flight but
the swiftest dog cannot overtake them In
running. The female lays from three TO
twelve roundish red-spotted eggs and hatch
es them out in thirty days. In lucatan
and northern Guatemala this bird is re-
placed by a third species. less in size, but
more striking in appearance, the tail hav-
ing spots somewhat like the eyes" in the
tail of peacock.