Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-11-19

keys. They are part Of the Powhatans, and un-
der an old colonial treaty they pay no taxes and
have their own government They must how
ever, send to the governor of Virginia each year
gift of game or fowl; and very often this gift
takes the form OF several large, plump turkeys
Many have been the explanations made as to
how the bird so popular at Thanksgiving
came to be called the turkey, most of which, to
the true scientist, are nothing but fanciful 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, it is assumed that they naturally
applied the word to the turkey wherever It was
introduced into Spain, and that thereafter It was
SO called.
Such roundabout way explanation, say those
who know. is entirely unnecessary. The bird
was called turkey because 1t was supposed to
come from Turkey, where 1t was known as an
Egyptian hen. This it is claimed, is merely in
accordance with habit very general in the six
teenth century. Whenever new and strange
things were presented to an ignorant public,
knowledge spread slowly, but superstition was
deep, and hearsay was taken for truth. The mar
kets OF North Europe received this fowl com
ing from South Europe. directly or indirectly
from Turkey.
In France, however. the bird was called din.
DON" or in the feminine 'dinde." as though 1t
were the fowl d'Inde-from India The Mexican
name for the bird is "huajoote," which scientists
claim. indicates the old Aztec knowledge of the
turkey.
name of the turkey. the fact yet remains that the
turkey is indigenous to America Although
scientists believe it is possible that there was
species. the original Of the present turkey, in.
digenous the West Indian islands, It 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 and the
Honduras. the ocelated varieties ~
The Mexican turkey is found wild throughout
the republic. II is short in shank with feathers
on its body Of metallic black shaded only slight.
ly with bronze while all its feathers are timed
with white. This appears to be the species arst
taken to Spain and other European countries
It lie thought that the white markings of the
variety Of domestic turkey known today as the
Narragansett come from this species
The Honduras turkey today Is sscattered all
most of Central America and Is extremely
wild. It has freer flight than its cousins of the
North. The head and neck OF this bird are naked
The ground color OF the pIumage 10 a beautiful
bronze green. banded with bold bronze blue and
red. with bands OF brilliant black. This bird
however. cannot be bred successfully nor domes
ticated away from it's native habitat, while even
there It can hardly be successfully domesticated
The bronze turkey. that variety which TODAY
holds the place OF honor in the North American
group OF turkeys. 10 outdone by none when i,
comes to beauty or size
In the United States there are six standard
varieties recognized and grown They are the
bronze. Narragansett bum slate, white and black
The chief differences are In size and color ~
plumage. The bronze and Narragansett are the
largest the bun and slate medium while the
white and black are the smallest within lato
years. however, the white variety has reached
such . point OF popularity that It has Increased
In size. until with dealers It occupies third
place.
Whatever the turkey may have missed thnoueh
failing to secure that place OF honor suggested
for It by BENJAMIN Franklln--as the national h,rd
lit has nevertheless found place in the rear,
OF the American people which is held By no oeneT
fowl.