The Ring-necked species seems to be the only one that has obtained a
really strong foothold, it being now very abundant in Oregon and
Washington, and adjacent states, and also found in abundance on many
game preserves in the east. The males of any of the species may at once
be distinguished from any of our birds by the long tail. Their nests are
hollows in the leaves under tufts of grass or bushes. They lay from
eight to fourteen eggs of a buff or greenish buff color, unmarked; size
1.50 x 1.30.

[Illustration 190: Sage Hen.]
[Illustration: Pale greenish drab.]
[Illustration: Greenish buff.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 189

[Illustration 191: RING-NECKED PHEASANT.]

Page 190

TURKEYS. Family MELEAGRIDAE

310. Wild Turkey. _Meleagris gallopavo silvestris._

Range.--Eastern United States from southern Middle States south to
central Florida and west to the Mississippi Valley and eastern Texas.
These magnificent birds, which once ranged over the whole of eastern
United States, are being yearly confined to a smaller range, chiefly
because of the destruction of their natural covers, and from persecution
by hunters. They are generally very wary birds and either escape by
running through the underbrush or by flying as soon as a human being
appears in sight. Their nests are made under tangled growths of
underbrush or briers. Their eggs, which are laid during April and May,
range from eight to sixteen in number. They are of a buff color
sprinkled and spotted with brownish. Size 2.55 x 1.90. Data.--Hammond,
La., April 17, 1897. Fifteen eggs. Nest hollow scraped in the ground
under a bush on the edge of a pine woods; lined with grasses and leaves.
Collector, E. A. McIlhenny.

310a. MERRIAM'S TURKEY. _Meleagris gallopavo merriami._

Range.--Southwestern United States from Colorado south through western
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to Mexico.

This variety is abundant throughout its range, its nesting habits and
eggs being practically indistinguishable from those of the eastern form.

[Illustration 192: Buff.]
[Illustration: Sage Hen. Wild Turkey.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 191

310b. FLORIDA TURKEY. _Meleagris gallopavo osceola._

Range.--Southern Florida.

A small variety of the Wild Turkey, about 42 inches long. They breed in
the tangled thickets in the higher portions of the southern half of
Florida, laying from ten to sixteen eggs of a brighter and deeper buff
color than the no