The Red Cloud chief., 1915-11-18

Keys. lney 7 part Vi II IOWHdtdHo' u"
der an old colonial treaty they pay no taxes anu
have their own government. They must. now
ever. send to the governor Of Virginia each year
a gift OF game or fowl: and very often TINS CIV
takes the form OF several large, plump turkeys
Many have been the explanations made as &c
how the bird now so popular at THANKSGIVING
cam to be called the turkey. most OF wh'ch, 10
the true scientist, are nothing but 'anciful, one
such ia the explanation that It comes from tue
East Indian word 'tOka," which. In Hebrew. taxes
the form "tukki.' the peacock. As the Jews ID
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 a roundabout way explanation. say those
who know, Is entirely unnecessary. In" blrd
was called turkey because 1t was supposed TO
come from Turkey. where II was known as an
Egyptian hen. This, 1t is claimed. Is merely IN
accordance with a habit very general In the SIX
teenth century. Whenever new and strange
things were presented to an ignorant pubic
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 Turkey.
In France, however, the bird was called din
DON" or in the feminine "dindc.' as though II
were the fowl d~'Inde-from India The Mexican
name for the bird Is "huajolote." which scientists
tluiul, uisotSo t"o oe ''"N~
turkey.
But whatever dispute has arisen as to the
name OF the turkey. the fact yet remains that the
turkey Is indigenous to America, Although
scientists believe il Is possible that there was a
species. the original of the present turkey. In
digenous to 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 ocellated varieties,
The Mexican turkey is found wild throughout
the republic. II Is short in shank, with feathers
on its body OF a metallic black shaded only slight
ly with bronze. while all its feathers are tipped
with white. This appears to be the species first
taken to Spain and other European countries.
II is 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 scattered all
over mos, of Central America and is extremely
wild. 1t has a freer flight than it's cousins OF the
North. The head and neck of this bird are naked,
The ground color of the plumage il 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 its 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. is outdone by none when II
comes to beauty or size.
In the United States there are six standard
varieties recognized and grown. They are the
bronze. Narragansett. bun, slate, white and black
The chief differences are in size and color OF
plumage. The bronze and Narragansett are the
largest, the bun and slate medium. while the
white and black are the smallest. Within late
years. however. the white variety has reached
such a point OF popularity that It has increased
in size, until with som dealers 1t occupies third
place.
Whatever the turkey may have missed through
falling to secure that place OF honor suggestec
for II by Benjamin Frankln-as the national bird
1T has nevertheless found a place In the regar,
of the American people which is held by no othel
fowl.