Hybrids of Ring-Necked Pheasants, Turkeys, and Domestic Fowl

THE consequences of one or more of a large number of isolating mechanisms are that birds of different species or genera either do not mate or mate only rarely (Dobzhansky, 1951; Riley, 1952; and others). Ecological isolation kept apart the three genera with which we are here concerned for a long time before they were brought together by man. Even then, sexual or psychological isolation has reduced or prevented mating between them. Only between the chicken (Gallus) and ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) have many natural hybrids been recorded (Suchetet, 1896; Wheeler, 1910; Poll, 1912; Cutler, 1918; Serebrovsky, 1929; Yamashina, 1942). Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are placed in a different family from pheasants and chickens (Friedmann, 1946) and are much larger birds. Despite the additional barrier of size, one natural hybrid of the turkey and pheasant has been reported (Edwards, 1761) but none between the turkey and chicken. The isolating mechanisms may . . .