Bird Remains
Meleagris gallopavo—(Wild Turkey?) 8.7%
Of all the bird remains, the greatest number by far were those
of the turkey. Of all the bones at the ruin 8.7% were those of the
gallopavo. These were found under all conceivable circumstances,
as was mentioned before in connection with the burials and the
kivas. Perhaps the most interesting notation concerning the turkey
was its total absence in the Pueblo I level. There are certainly
enough specimens to insure of this being more than merely
negative evidence.
Is is interesting also to speculate upon the source of these
birds, as well as upon the long-mooted question of their domestication.
A fragment of egg shell from Room I has the circumference
and shape of a turkey egg. Also, the Chaco country at
present is not suited for turkeys as there is little or no oak scrub
mast or piñon nuts. This situation may have been different in
1000 A. D., however. Large numbers of turkeys were brought to
Tseh So, but whether alive or dead it is impossible to say.
Aguila chrysaetos—(Golden Eagle) .1%
The golden eagle was represented by a single ulna, with accompanying
radius, on the floor of Room 13, which is the kiva
enclosure for Kiva 3. The bones were lying directly on the
surface of the enclosure to the northwest of the kiva, an angle
which had evidently been used at one time for habitation. It is
useless to speculate as to the culinary or ceremonial purposes of
this bird at this site. Judging from more modern parallels, this
wing may well have been used for the latter purpose.
