The state herald., 1915-11-19

Ness' iney are part oil the Powhatans, ana uh
der an old colonial treaty they pay no taxes and
nave their own government. They must. how
ever, send to the governor of Virginia each year
GIT OF game or fowl: and very often this gilt
takes the form of several large. plump turkeys.
Many have been the explanations made as to
hoy ,ks- bird now popular at Thanksgiving
came to be called the turkey, most of which, to
the true scientist. are nothing but 'anciful. One
such is the explanation that II comes from the
East Indian word 'toka." which. In Hebrew. takes
the form 'tukk" the peacock. As the Jews In
South Europe were acquainted with this fowl
which is related. II is assumed that they naturally
applied the word to the turkey wherever II was
introduced INTO Spain. and that thereafter II was
so called.
Such roundabout way explanation. say those
who know, is entirely unnecessary. The bird
was called turkey because 1t supposed TO
come from Turkey. where II was known as an
Egyptian hen. This, II is claimed. is merely In
accordance with habit very general in the six
teenth century. Whenever new and strange
things were presented to ignorant public,
knowledge spread slowly. but superstition was
deep. and hearsay was taken for truth. The mar
kets OF North Europe received this fowl as com
ing from South Europe. directly or Indirectly
from TurkeS.
In France however the bird was called din.
don" or in the feminine "dinde.' though It
were the fowl d'lnde-from India The Mexican
name for the bird is "huaJolote." which scientists
claim indicates the old Aztec knowledge OF the
turkey
But whatever dispute has arisen To the
name of the turkey the fact yet remains that the
turkey is indigenous to America Although
scientists believe II is possible that there was a
species. the original OF the present turkey. In.
dgenous to the West Indian islands II is generally
conceded that all turkeys have descended In some
way or other from the three forms known today
AS the North American, the Mexican ana the
Honduras the ocellated varieties
The Mexican turkey is found wild throughout
the republic. II Ia short In shank with feathers
ON It's body OF metallic black shaded only slight.
~ with bronze. while all It's feathers nre tipped
with white. This appears TO be the species first
taken to Spain and other European countries.
II IN thought that the white markings OF tn,
variety OF domestic turkey known today as the
Narraganscti come from this species.
The Honduras turkey today is scattered all
over most OF Central America aud is extremely
wild. Il has n frecr night than it's cousins OF tho
North. The head and neck OF this bird arc naked.
The ground color OF the pumnge is a beautiful
bronze green. banded with bold bronze blue and
red. with bands OF brilliant black This bird
however. cannot be bred successfully nor domcs.
ticatcd away from ts native habitat. while even
there Il can hardly b. successfully domesticatcd
Tho bronze turkey. that variety which today
holds tho place OF honor In the North American
group OF turkeys In ou,donc by none when 1,
comcn TO beauty or size
In tho United States there are ais standard
varieties recognized and grown, They nre tho
bronze, Narraganaett. hun, alatc. white and binch
Tho chief differences are In size and color OF
plumasc. The bronze and Nnrragnnsett arc the
largest. tho bun and slate medium while tho
white and black are the smallest. within late
ycaru. however. the white variety has reached
such point OF popularity that II has Increased
In size until with some dealers I, occupies third
place
whatever tho turkey may have missed through
failing TO secure that place OF honor Hugyest cd
for II by BENJAMIN Frnnhiin-ss the national bird
1t has nevertheless found place In tho regard
OF the American people which Ia held by no other
fowl.