Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-11-20

museum at Washington where the specimen is
on exhibition.
Another interesting fact resulted from scen-
tiic expedition which DR.. c. Hart Merriam made
among the mountains of Arizona. he came
a living species of bird identical with the
found mummifed and which is now known to the
scientific world by his name
Another recent discovery in connection with
the turkey was u Maya hieroglyphic which
tions along with other things ten turkey hens and
five turkey cocks This is thought to be the first
record of the turkey in this country and antedaes
the expedition of Cortes to Mexico in 1919
But the turkey goes back further among the
Indians than even the probable date at which the
specimen found in the cave existed. Among the
Iunis for instance. there exist many legends,
handed down from time immemoria, which have
for their subject the turkey. .s-..a
Perhaps none is more interesting than the one
which tells why his tail feathers dark show
ing, 1t does. not only the place he held in the
estimation of the Indians but also noticeable
similarity to the flood story of our Bible
Once upon time. the legend runs there
was flood and the face of the world was covered
with water. And the turkey, weary OF continually
flying, decided to seek spot on which he
might light and rest But the other birds and
animals advised him not to: and the very gods
themselves warned him.
lie refused to heed either advice or warnings
and set out in search of land. After much effort
he discovered single spot not covered by water
and alighted But he found II only deep mud
So he decided TO hunt further for dry place
which to rest. But, alas. when he came 10 fy
he found his tail feathers stuck fast in the mud
He pulled and pulled but could not get them
loose. Finally, after a gigantic tug, he managed
to free himself. But bits of mud stuck to the end
of the tail feathers! And to this day turkeys
have dark spots there-a sign of their dsobe.
dience to divine command!
The turkey plays more important part in the
life Of the Indian than in his legends alone. Not
only is 1t regarded a choice article of food but
in many tribes II is held sacred. In the parts of
ttxac ,,+1n
was never eaten except when other food was un.
obtanable. And even then separate portions
were divided among various tribes. that the
religious custom would not be violated.
Turkey feathers rank next in Importance to
those of the eagle with all tribes. while the
Apaches, the Pamunkeys and Cheyennes chose
the turkeys feathers for all ceremonial head
dresses and ornaments The Pamunkey tribe also
used turkey feathers for ornamental purposes on
their clothing. as well as for their headgears. To
this day. when they don their native costumes.
The turkey feather is preferred ornament.
II BENJAMIN Franklin's words had been needed
the turkey would have been the national bird Of
the United States. The eagle is first cousin to
the species known of old in the eastern hemi-
sphere Furthermore. it has appeared upon the
banners of many nations. II was a symbol OF
the Roman empire. 1t known in China for
ages. and today 1t appears upon the banners OF
Russia Germany and several other nations
The turkey Is Indigenous to America. Wher-
ever the early European adventurers and settlers
arrived they beheld great focks of turkeys, and
IL soon became known that they were favorite
food among the Indians. After while turkeys
were proudly sent home trophies of the chase.
In this way the turkey became practically
world-favorite a food.
When Cortes, in 1913. ascended to the plateau
of Mexico. he found social life developed to a
high degree of refinement. He was entertained
with oriental magnificence All the decacies to
be found within the empire were set before him:
and though game abundant, the turkey held
the place of honor among the fowl rms was
the first time that the Spanards had eaten ,ur-
key.
They also saw great tame nocks OF she birds.
In fact, since prehistoric times, the turkey has
been domesticated and raised for market Today
in Mexico many OF the quaint customs then in
vogue are still kept alive. And so II is that the
purchaser of today may select his choice OF