The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-11-17

museum at Washington, where the specimen is
exhibition
Another interesting fact resulted from scien-
4inc expedition which DR.. c. Hart Merriam made
among the mountains of Arizona; he came across
2 living species of bird identical with the
found mummifed and which is now known to the
scientific world by his
Another recent discovery III connection with
the turkey Maya hieroglyphic which men
Fions 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
rhe 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
Ianis for instance, there exist many legends
BANDED down from time immemoriai which have
for their subject the turkey.
Perhaps is 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 flood story of our Bible
Once upon time, so 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.
He refused TO heed either advice or warnings
and set out in search of land. After much effort
The discovered a single spot not covered by water
and alfghted. But he found it only deep mud
So he decided to hunt further for some 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
noose. Finally, after gigantic tug. he managed
no 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-
fAtence to divine command!
The turkey plays more important part in the
life OF the Indian than In his legends alone Not
Soniy is 1t regarded choice article of food but
lin many tribes 1t is held sacred In the parts of
the country where the turkey was worshiped it
was never eaten except when other food was I'M
lobtainable 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
IApaches 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, well as for their headgears. To
this day, when they don their native costumes,
the turkey feather is preferred ornament.
If 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. 1t 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-
lever the early European adventures and settlers
arrived they beheld great f1ocks of turkeys. and
it soon became known that they were favorite
food among the Indians. After a while turkeys
were proudly sent home trophies of the chase.
In this way the turkey became practically a
sworldfavorite food.
When Cortes, in 1919, assembled to the plateau
lof Mexico, he found social life developed TO
high degree of refinement. He entertained
with oriental magnifcence. All the delicacies to
he found within the empire set before him:
and though game abundant, the turkey held
the place Of honor among the fowl This
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
fowl in the village street Or if he prefers the