Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1914-11-20

museum at Washington where the specimen is
on exhibition.
Another interesting fact resulted from scien-
tif1c expedition which DR.. c.. Hart Merriam made
among the mountains of Arizona he came across
a living species of bird identical with the one
found mummifed and which is now known to the
scientific world by his name.
Another recent discovery in connection with
the turkey was Maya hieroglyphic which men
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 antedates
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 existed. Among the
Zunis, for instance, there exist many legends.
handed down from time immemorial, which have
for their subject the turkey.
Perhaps none is more interesting than the one
which tells why his tail feathers dark, show
ing, it does, not only the place he held in the
estimation OF the Indians but also a noticeable
similarity to the flood story of our Bible.
Once upon time, the legend runs, there
was a flood and the face of the world covered
with water And the turkey, weary of continually
flying, decided to seek spot which he
might light and rest. But the other birds and
animals advised him not to; and the very gods
themselves warned him.
He refused to heed either advice warnings
and set out in search of land. After much effort
and alighted. But he found it only deep mud
So he decided to hunt further for dry place
on which to rest. But alas, when he came to fly,
he found his tail feathers stuck fast 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 tail feathers! And to this day turkeys
have dark spots there-a sign of their disobe-
dience to divine command!
The turkey plays more important part in the
life of the Indian than in his legends alone. Not
only is It regarded choice article of food but
in many tribes it is held sacred. In the parts of
the country where the turkey worshiped it
was never eaten except when other food was
obtainable. And then separate portions
were divided among various tribes, SO 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 we'll as for their headgears. To
this day when they don their native costumes,
the turkey feather is preferred as 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 snecies known of old in the eastern henri
snhere Furthermore, it has appeared upon the
banners of many nations. 1t was symbol OF
the Roman empire 1t was known in China for
apes and today it appears upon the banners of
Russia Germany and several other nations.
The turkey is Indigenous to America. Wher-
ever the early European adventures and settlers
arrived they beheld great focks of turkeys and
If soon became known that they were a favorlte
food among the Indians After while turkeys
were proudly sent home trophies OF the chase
In this way the turkey became practically
world-favorite as food.
When Cortes. in 1919, assembled to the plateau
If Mexico, he found social life developed to
high degree Of refinement. He was entertained
with oriental magnifcence. All the delicacies to
ha found within the empire were set before him;
and though game was abundant the turkey neid
the place of honor among the fowl This was
the first time that the Spaniards had eaten tur-
key.
They also saw great tame focks OF the 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 it is that the
purchaser of today may select his choice of
nwl in the village street Or if he prefers the