The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-11-27

Nearly three centuries nave elapsed
since that memorable day of the first
wherc-tradition tells us-wild tur-
keys graced the board. And to this
day no Thanksgiving dinner seems
quite complete without its roast tur-
key.
A native of America. this magnif-
ent bird was introduced into Europe
carly in the sixteenth century and is
Professor St~onehurn's accompanying
article contains most interesting facts
regarding its discovery by the early
explorers. its characteristics. varieties
and commercial value.
The timely illustration by Mr.. Graz
ham shows fine specimens Of the
bronze turkey. male and female The
other varieties. of which there are
several. differ from the bronze only
in size and color.
(By Frederick H. S%toneburn.>
America has made but slight con
tribution to the farmer In h way Of
domestic animals and birds. Perhaps
the most important Is the magnificent
bird now known all over the world
the turkey. Authorities differ in their
views concerning the original type
from which our domestic varieties
have sprung, but all agree In giving
credit to America as its birthplace.
1t seems probable that the first tur-
keys taken to Europe We're the Wild
and Mexico. followed later By the
larger and handsomer species which
is native in the United States and Can
ada. The most imposing Of all the
domesticated varieties. the bronze.
undoubtedly springs from this latter
source.
thye found turkey. both wild and do
INVESTIGATED. They seemed to thrive
under the care of maj and were bred
in immense numbers. Cortez found
them to he the cheapest meat in MeX
leo. The date of the Introduction Of
the turkey into Europe is uncertain.
hut it is probable that at least a few
when the early explorers returned
home. From Spain it spread to France
and England. and by the end of the
seventeenth century il was widely
bret! throughout Europe.
Prior 90 the date when turkeys we're
commonly bred in Europe, they We're
occasionally imported from America
stance. y, were taken to France TO
grace the wedding feast Of Charles
TX. This was in 1870. BY this date
the turke::' was somewhat common in
England. and was rapidly becoming
popular as a table delicacy. ranking
with the pig. o. and capon in the
esteem of epicures.
familiar with the turkey from their
earliest history. Among their ira
ditions is one to the effect that the
earth was once covered by a great
flood and land va first discovered
by this powerful bird.
It is unfortunate that such a truly
American product should have re-
ceived such a name. Just how 1t came
TO be ehristened turkey" is a matter
avs ut appears to have been in
tended as Il satire upon the solemn
strut Of the bird. which might appear
to give it Il resemblance to the POM
pous stride OF the Turk. Most assur-
sedly it did not arise from the native
place OF the bird. which has no con-
:nection with eastern Europe or Asia.
To suppose the bird Meleagrts. men
toned by Greek writer's. to have been
the turkey is quite a mistake. When
discovered in America they were seen
both in a wild and domestic state"
The Turkey In Literature.
Naturally the turkey does not ap.
pear in literature as early as other
domesticated birds. but It has not beer
neglected there. Shakespeare was ap.
parently attracted by the humorous
cufes a character by exclaiming. here
cock" $1,000
Pope regarded 1t highly enough to
mention IAN hundred souls Of turkey
In a pie"
In European countries the Christ.
mas feast demand the turkey. and