Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1899-11-23

more appropriate than that OF the eagle
as the national emblem. No species of
its genus is a native of the old world.
When the Spanish cOnquerors came to
Mexico, they saw and wrote home
about the turkey. They described it as
kind of peacock. MonteZuma had one
of the greatest geological collections
ever got together, comprising nearly
all the animals of the country, to
which were added many brought from
afar. He was very proud of his me-
nagerie, on which great sums of money
were spent. Large numbers of tur-
keys were furnished alive as food to
the carnivorous beasts. At that
period turkeys had already been do
mesticated for centuries in the land of
the Aztecs, and they were reared in
much the same way as at present.
From Mexico the domesticated tur-
key was brought to the West Indies as
early as 1926. 1t was carried to Europe
by the Spaniards, and the delicacy of
its flesh being highly appreciated, it
soon spread over the greater part of
Europe. In the reign of Francis l. it
one eaten in that country is said to
have been served at a banquet on the
occasion of the wedding of Charles
I TX This was in 1870. The bird was
bred with much care and not long
afterward it found it's way into Africa
and Asia. In 1541 it was introduced
into England. Although these facts
are beyond dispute, there was question
for long time as to the origin of the
turkey. In Great Britain it was pop
ularly supposed to have come from
Turkey, and hence the name given to
it,
The most remarkable event in the
history of the turkey, however, re-
mains to be told. From Europe it
was brought to the United States, and
it is the descendants of these imported
birds that appear on our Thanksgiv-
ing tables, trussed and Drowned, with
giblet gravy for an appetizing accom-
paniment. In fact, our domestic tur-
key is the Mexican bird-a different
species from the familiar wild turkey
of this country. The notion so widely
held that the barnyard turkey is this
wild turkey domesticated is an error.
1t was first proved to be such by the
late Spencer F. Baird, formerly secre-
tary of the Smithsonian institution;
hence the difficulty of mating wild tur-
keys with tame ones. The wild tur-
keys of Mexico today, on the other
hand. are just like our tame turkeys,
being derived from the same original
intellectually whittier than that of
the wild turkeys of the United States
and they exhibit other likenesses in
addition.
There are two species of wild turkeys
in North America. One is confined to
the eastern and southern United
States and the other to the southern
Rocky mountain region and adjacent
parts of Texas, New Mexico and as
far south as Orizaba. In a word, one
species belongs to eastern and the
other to middle north America. Our
barnyard turkeys are derived from the
latter stock. The differences between
the two species are not SO marked as
to excite the attention of the casual
observer. In the Mexican or barnyard
fowl the tips of the tail feathers and
the feathers everything the base of the
tail are creamy white. The same
feathers in the wild turkey of the
eastern United States are brown al
ways.
In view of the facts here stated, the
Mexican wild turkey of today becomes
interesting. 1t is very shy bird and
lives in families like the goose. Senti-
nels are kept on watch while the focks
feed The female lays II brownish
red, spotted eggs, which are Matched in
80 days. 1t feeds on various kinds of
berries and fruits and prefers pecan
nuts to any other diet when they can
be found. It's habits in all important
respects are like those of the wild
turkey of the United States.
When migrating, if they reach a
river which they want to cross the
turkeys wait on the near bank for a
day or two, for consultation apparent
". Meanwhile the males gobble con-
tinually and strut about with lowered
wings and expanded tails. When the
proper time arrives, the entire flock
rises to the tops of the highest trees,
and, at a signal from the leader, the
birds launch themselves in the air and
fly to the opposite shore. Should the
stream be wide the young and feeble
individuals are apt to miss the point
aimed at and fall into the water. They
swim ashore with much dexterity, clos
ing their wings. using the expanded
tail for a support and striking out
rapidly with their long and powerful
legs Sometimes If the bank is very
steep. few may be unable to ascend,
and. falling back from unsuccessful at
tempts, they are drowned.
In Yucatan and Guatemala Is found
a third species Of turkey. which is one
Of s;ss most beautiful birds known to
the ornithologist. It's feathers blaze
with metallic reflections of gold, green,
blue and bronze. 1t is somewhat less
in size than the other two kinds Its