catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Turkey \Tur"key\, n.; pl. Turkeys. [So called because it was
     formerly erroneously believed that it came originally from
     Turkey: cf. F. Turquie Turkey. See Turk.] (Zo["o]l.)
     Any large American gallinaceous bird belonging to the genus
     Meleagris, especially the North American wild turkey
     ({Meleagris gallopavo), and the domestic turkey, which was
     probably derived from the Mexican wild turkey, but had been
     domesticated by the Indians long before the discovery of
     America.
  
     Note: The Mexican wild turkey is now considered a variety of
           the northern species (var. Mexicana). Its tall feathers
           and coverts are tipped with white instead of brownish
           chestnut, and its flesh is white. The Central American,
           or ocellated, turkey ({M. ocellata) is more elegantly
           colored than the common species. See under Ocellated.
           The Australian, or native, turkey is a bustard
           ({Choriotis australis). See under Native.
  
     Turkey beard (Bot.), a name of certain American perennial
        liliaceous herbs of the genus Xerophyllum. They have a
        dense tuft of hard, narrowly linear radical leaves, and a
        long raceme of small whitish flowers. Also called
        turkey's beard.
  
     Turkey berry (Bot.), a West Indian name for the fruit of
        certain kinds of nightshade ({Solanum mammosum, and S.
        torvum).
  
     Turkey bird (Zo["o]l.), the wryneck. So called because it
        erects and ruffles the feathers of its neck when
        disturbed. [Prov. Eng.]
  
     Turkey buzzard (Zo["o]l.), a black or nearly black buzzard
        ({Cathartes aura), abundant in the Southern United
        States. It is so called because its naked and warty head
        and neck resemble those of a turkey. Its is noted for its
        high and graceful flight. Called also turkey vulture.
  
     Turkey cock (Zo["o]l.), a male turkey.
  
     Turkey hen (Zo["o]l.), a female turkey.
  
     Turkey pout (Zo["o]l.), a young turkey. [R.]
  
     Turkey vulture (Zo["o]l.), the turkey buzzard.