backwards over the sides of the neck, and may be raised or depressed at will. A few minute hairs are scattered over the cheeks, which are of a livid complexion. The feathers of the back of the neck are tinged with a mixture of green and gold and bordered with black, those of the back and the upper tailcoverts are bright yellow, the latter terminating in a crimson border.

These magnificent birds are natives of China; and it was warmly maintained by Buffon, in accordance with his theory of the degeneration of animals, that they were merely a variety of the common pheasant, which has assumed a more splendid plumage, in consequence of the superior fineness of the climate in which they dwelt. Unfortunately for this hypothesis, the common pheasant is also widely spread throughout the same region, in which it preserves all the characters by which it is distinguished in Europe, and never produces in its wild state a mixed breed with its supposed variety. No naturalist since Buffon has imagined such a transformation possible.

THIS elegant bird is the original stock from which all the common domestic turkeys have been produced. It is a native of America, and is found in all the western parts of the United States and North America, from Lake Superior to the Isthmus of Panama. They abound in the forests and un

1 Meleagris gallopavo, LIN. The genus Meleagris has the bill short and thick, base covered with a naked skin; head and upper part of the neck invested with a naked, tuber culated skin; a loose caruncle on the upper part of the bill; throat with a longitudinal, pendulous, and carunculated wattle; tarsi of the male with an obtuse and weak spur; wings short; tail of eighteen feathers spreading into a circle.

settled parts of the Union, but are not numerous in Florida, Georgia, or the Carolinas. They are very rare in the northern and eastern parts of the United States. They were formerly abundant in Canada, but as their places of resort become settled and thickly peopled, they retire and seek refuge in the remotest recesses of the interior. In New England it appears to have been destroyed many years ago, but they are still found in the eastern parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

These birds do not confine themselves to any particular food, but eat corn, berries, grapes, barley, tadpoles, young frogs, and lizards.

Their favorite

food, however, is the pecan nut, and acorn. Where there is an abundant crop of acorns, there numerous flocks of turkeys may be expected. In the fall, they direct their courses in vast numbers to the rich lands on the borders of the Ohio and Mississippi., The males and females travel separately, but all in the same direction. Before crossing a river, they assemble on the highest eminences, and remain there as if in consultation for a day or two. At length, after due preparation, the leader gives a signal note, and they all wing their way to the opposite shore. Some of the young and weak fall into the water, and are obliged to swim for their lives, using all the means in their power, and the most violent exertion, to reach the shore. Many,

however, perish in the attempt. It is observed that, after these journeys, the turkeys are so familiar, that they fearlessly enter the plantations in search of food. Great numbers are killed at this time, and kept in a frozen state to be sent to distant markets.

They begin to build in April; the nest is very simple in construction, being only composed of a few dried leaves. The female lays sometimes twenty, but more usually nine or fifteen eggs, which are white, spotted with brown. Wild turkeys are very tenacious of their feeding grounds, as well as of the trees on which they have once roosted. Flocks have been known to resort to one spot for a succession of years, and to return after a distant emigration in search of food. They roost on a point of land jutting into a river where there are large trees in great numbers. When they are all quiet for the night, they are very easily shot; and an experienced hunter may secure nearly the whole flock, as the turkeys, fancying themselves secure when at roost, are not alarmed by either the sportsman or his gun.

The flesh of the wild turkey is of excellent flavor, being more delicate and juicy than that of the domestic turkey; the Indians value it so highly, that they term it, when roasted, "the white man's dish."

The male of the wild turkey is nearly four feet in length; the female is only three feet and a quarter long. The plumage of the male is very brilliant, and of a variety of hues; that of the female is not as beautiful. When strutting abroad and displaying himself, this bird has a very stately and handsome appearance, and appears to be quite sensible of the admiration he excites.

A new species, called the ocellated turkey, has been discovered in Honduras, which is of a smaller size and of more brilliant plumage than the turkey of the United States. It has small ocellated spots on the tail.

Is about the size of a common hen, but, as it is supported on longer legs, it looks much larger. It has a round back, with a tail turned downwards like a partridge. The head is covered with a kind of casque; and the whole plumage is black or dark grey, speckled with white spots. It has wattles under the bill, which do not proceed from the lower chap, as in cocks, but from the upper, which gives it a very peculiar air; while its restless gait, and odd chuckling sound, distinguish it sufficiently from all other birds what

ever.

It is well known all over Europe and America, and we find it in different countries called by different names, from the place whence they had it. We have given it the name of that part of Africa from whence probably it was first brought, and where it is still found in a wild state. Among the Romans they were in high repute for the table, and, being scarce, were sold at a great price.

In many parts of their native country they are seen in vast flocks together, feeding their young, and leading them in quest of food. All their habits are like those of the poultry kind, and they agree in every other respect, except that the male and female are so much alike, that they can hardly be distinguished asunder. The principal distinction is in the wattles; those of the cock being of a bluish cast, while those of the female incline to red. Their eggs, like their bodies, are speckled; in our climate they lay but five or six in a season; but they are far more prolific in their sultry regions at home. There is a species of this bird with a very beautiful crest. There are also some other varieties, which it would be tedious to describe.

1 Numida meleagris, LIN. The genus Numida has the bill short, thick, arched, the base covered with a warted membrane, and a carunculated wattle hanging from the under mandible; nostrils situated in the cere, divided by a cartilage, head naked or feathered, the crown with a callous horn or crest; tarsus smooth; the three fore toes united by membranes; hind toe joined on the tarsus; tail short; bent down.

Is about the size of a turkey, and frequently weighs near fourteen pounds; but the female is much smaller. The head and neck are ash color, crossed with black lines; the body and wings chesnut brown, and the breast of a very glossy blackish green. The legs are strong, and covered with brown feathers. The plumage of the female differs from this description, it being red about the throat, and having the head, neck, and back, crossed with red and black bars; the belly barred with orange and black, with the tips of the feathers white, as are also the tips of the shoulders.

The cock of the wood, when in the forest, attaches himself principally to the oak and the pine tree; the cones of the latter serving for his food, and the thick boughs for a habitation. He feeds also on ants' eggs; which seem

1 Tetrao urogallus, LIN. The genus tetrao has the bill short, thick, arched above, convex, bent downwards towards the tip, base naked; nostrils basal, half closed, with an arched scale above, and connected by small feathers; eyebrows naked, with scarlet warts; tarsi feathered; three toes before and one behind, united to the first joint; one toe behind, margined with asperities.