FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U. S. A.
WILD TURKEY
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris (Vieill.)
The Wild Turkey, once abundant throughout the eastern United States, is
now exterminated over most of its former range. It still occurs in limited numbers
in scattered localities towards the southern part of the country. As late as 1878
it was found in the vicinity of Chicago and, until recently, a few were supposed
to exist in extreme southern Illinois, but these have probably now disappeared.
Several geographical races are recognized. The form found in east-central Mexico
is the ancestor of the domestic breeds.
The Wild Turkey is essentially a bird of the wilderness, seldom leaving the
security of the woods. The nest is built on the ground in secluded spots and its
secrets carefully guarded. The eggs are 8 to 15 in number and pale buff in color,
thickly spotted with brown.
In the fall, the birds gather in flocks and roam the woods in search of food.
Fruits, berries, nuts, buds and insects form their principal diet. The old birds are
extremely wary and much esteemed as objects of the chase. A favorite method
of hunting them is by imitating their various calls and decoying them to the
hunter's place of concealment.
Scene in Madison Parish, northern Louisiana.
Julius Friesser, Taxidermist.
Background by C. A. Corwin.
