The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-20

matter of speculation amonL the scientists of the
National museum. where the specimen is on exhi-
bition.
Another interesting fact in this same connec.
ton resulted from a scientific 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 mummitied
and which is now known to the scientific world
by his name.
Another recent discovery in connection with
the turkey was a Maya hieroglyphic. This piece
of parchment shows a grocer's account in which
are mentioned, 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 farther 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.
The turkey plays a more important part in the
life of the Indian than in his legends alone. Not
only is 1t regarded as a choice article of food,
but in many tribes it is held sacred. In the parts
OF the country where the turkey was worshiped
with that curious devotion to animals which
characterizes different stages in the development
from savagery to civilization-it was never eaten
except when other food was unobtainable. And
even 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 ell 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 m pur-
poses on their clothing. as well as for their head
gear. To this day, when they don their native
costumes, the turkey feather is preferred as orna-
cent.
If Benjamin Franklin's words had been needed
the turkey would have been the national bird of
the United States. The eagle is a first cousin to
the species nown of old in the eastern hemis.
phere. Furthermore, 1t has appeared upon the
banners of many nations. 1t was a symbol of the
Roman empire. 1t was known in China for ages,
and today it appears upon the banners of Russia,
Germany and several other nations.
The turkey, however, is indigenous to America.
When the sarly European adventures and set
tiers arrived they beheld great hocks of turkeys,
and it soon became known that they were a
favorite food among the Indians. After a while
turkeys we're proudly sent home as trophies of
the chase. In this way the turkey became prac-
tically a world-favorite as a food.
When Cortes. in 1919, assembled to the plateau
of Mexico, he found a social life developed to a
high degree of refinement. He was entertained
with oriental magnifcence. All the delicacies
to be found within the empire were set before
him; and though game was abundant, the turkey
held the place of honor among the fowl. This
was the first time that the Spaniards had eaten
turkey, and the experience proved a most salts.
flying one.
They also saw the great tame hocks of the
birds. In fact. since prehistoric times the turkey