Turkeys

Turkeys are either of two species of large birds in the genus Meleagris native to North America, and since domesticated and raised for food, within the poultry group. Males of both turkey species have a distinctive fleshy wattle or protuberance that hangs from the top of the beak (called a snood). They are among the largest birds in their ranges.

Quotes

 * T URKEY, n. A large bird whose flesh when eaten on certain religious anniversaries has the peculiar property of attesting piety and gratitude. Incidentally, it is pretty good eating.
 * Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary (1911).


 * But nope, teenage humans. The worst, most ill-conceived creatures in the universe. “Other than turkeys, right?” Yes, nothing beats those morons.
 * Wesley Chu, The Rebirths of Tao (2015), ISBN 978-0-85766-430-3, p. 424


 * I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country; he is a bird of bad moral character; like those among men who live by sharking and robbing, he is generally poor, and often very lousy. The turkey is a much more respectable bird.
 * Benjamin Franklin, letter to Sarah Bache (January 26, 1784).


 * The very port and gait of a swan, or turkey, or peacock show the high idea he has entertain'd of himself; and his contempt of all others. This is the more remarkable, that in the two last species of animals, the pride always attends the beauty, and is discover'd in the male only.
 * David Hume, Treatise of Human Nature (1739-40), Book 2: Of the passions, Part 1, Section 12.


 * Turkeys are intelligent, social, curious, and sometimes even funny. I wish people were more like turkeys sometimes. … We're going to have a special celebration for turkeys this November, where we're going to hang out with turkeys, we're not going to eat them, we're just going to kind of chill, hang out, talk with the turkeys, eat a little veggies.
 * Biz Stone, “Twitter Co-Founder Biz Stone talks about turkeys and Farm Sanctuary”, ad for (18 October 2011), reported in “Twitter founder Biz Stone likes turkeys, wishes people were more like them”, in  (12 November 2011).


 * Fowls of all sorts and varieties dwell at their several times and seasons here in Mary-Land: The Turkey, the Woodcock, the Pheasant, the Partrich, the Pigeon, and others, especially the Turkey, whom I have seen in whole hundreds in flights in the Woods of Mary-Land, being an extraordinary fat Fowl, whose flesh is very pleasant and sweet.
 * George Alsop, A Character of the Province of Maryland (1666), p. 12


 * I want our children to grow up enjoying the taste of British apples as well as Cornish sardines, Norfolk turkey, Melton Mowbray pork pies, Wensleydale cheese, Herefordshire pears and of course black pudding.
 * Liz Truss, Speech delivered at the Conservative Party Conference (29 September 2014)