TURKEY (abbreviation of Turkey-cock, Tur key-hen, so called as being supposed to conic from Turkey, vaguely applied to Tartary or Asia in general). The turkeys arc natives of North and Central America, and the only two species known are the common wild turkey (1/cicagris galloparo) with three subspecies and the beauti ful Yucatan turkey (Meleagris oeellatus). They were once regarded as a distinct family, hut are now considered the sole Atneric•an representatives of the Phasianithe. The wild turkey is like the domesticated one, but more brightly colored. 'fhe ocellated turkey of Central America is a smaller and more beautiful species; the plumage is lus trous. and parts of it are oeellated, like the peacock's feathers: the bare head is blue with orange earuneles. This fine species is confined to Yucatan and Central America. The common wild turkey is still found in Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. and in other parts of the West and South. but is scarce east of the Mississippi and
north of Virginia or Kentucky, though it former ly ranged well up into New England.
The domestic turkey, the largest of gallina ccons birds, appears to have been introduced into Europe by the Spaniards early in the sixteenth century. The domestic birds vary greatly in plumage from the tints of the wild species to butt, or brown, or pure white, and occasionally produce a crest. On account of its size, and the excellence of its flesh and eggs, the turkey is one of the most valued kinds of poultry. The man agement of turkeys differs little from that of the common fowl. The young are tender for the first few weeks, and require care, particularly to keep them from getting wet by running among the wet grass, or the like; but afterwards they are sufficiently hardy. See Colored Plate of PEACOCK. TURKEY. AND GUINEA-FOWL.