The state herald., 1914-11-20

museum at Washington. where the specimen is
, exhibition.
Another interesting fact resulted from scien-
tifc expedition which DR.. C. Hart Merriam made
among the mountains of Arizona; he came across
living species OF bird identical with the one
found mummified and which is now known to the
scientific world by his name.
Another recent discovery in connection with
the turkey Maya heroglyphic which men,
tions along with other things ten turkey hens and
nve 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
Zunis, for instance. there exist many legends
handed down from time immemorial which have
for their subject the turkey.
ferhaps none is more interesting than the one
which tells why his tail feathers are dark show.
ing as 1t does. not only the place he held In the
estimation of the Indians but also a noticeable
similarity to the food story OF our Bible
3 Once upon a time. the legend runs there
was flood and the face OF the world was covered
with water And the turkey, weary Of continually
aying. 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 a single spot not covered by water
and aighted. But he found II only deep mud
So he decided to hun, further for some dry plac.
on which TO rest But alas, when he came TO hy
he found his tail feathers stuck fas, In the mud
He pulled and pulled, but could not get them
loose Finally. after gigantic tug. he managed
To free himself But bits Of mud stuck TO the end
of the tall feathers' And TO this day turkeys
have dark spots there-a sign Of their disobe.
dence TO divine command,
The turkey plays more important part in the
life OF the Indian than In his legends alone MOI
only Is II regarded a choice article OF food I'm,
In many trlbes II is held sacred In the parts ot
the country whore the turkey was worshiped II
was never eaten except when other food was un
obtalnable And even then separate portions
were divided among various tribes. no tha, 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 ehose
the turkeys feathers for all ceremonial head
dresses and ornaments. The Pamunkcy tribe also
used turkey feathers for ornamental purposes on
their clothing, well as for their headgears To
this day. when they don their native costumes
n. turkey feather Il preferred as ornament
II BENJAMIN Ffanklin's words had been Needed
the turkey would have been the national bird of
the United States The eagle IN first cousin 10
the species known Of old In the eastern hcmi.
sphere Furthermore II has appeared upon the
banners Of many nations II was symbol OF
the Roman empire. Il was known In China for
ages and today Il appears upon the banners OF
Russia. Germany and several other nations.
The turkey IN indigenous TO America. Wher.
ever the early European advontnrors and settlers
arrived they boheld great locks Of turkeys. and
II soon became known that they a fayorite
food among the Indians After while turkeys
we're proudly sent home M trophies OF the chase.
In this way tho turkey became practically a
worid.fAyoriie hH n food.
When Cortep In 1919. arccnded 10 the plateau
of Mexico. he found social life developed TO a
high degree Of refinement lie was entertained
with oriental magnihoonco Al the dclicaeieu 20
be- found within tho empire were got before him
and though game was abundant the turkey held
the place Of honor among the fowl This was
tho nrst time that The spaniarda had eaten tur.
kuy
They also saw great tame nocim Of the birds.
In fact. since prehistoric times. the turkey has
been doincstlcattd and raised ior market To-day
In Mexico many Of the quaint customs then In
vogue are rtill kept alive, Aud 30 II Ia that the
purchaser " today may select his choice of a
fowl In The village street or " he prefers the