250 



THE CKESTED, OR COMMON PEACOCK. 



OF THE PEACOCK TKIBE IN GENEEAL. 



The bill is strong and convex. The head is covered with feathem 

 which bend backward. The nostrils are 

 large. The feathers of the train are long, 

 broad, expansile, and covered with eye-like 

 spots. 



There are only four known species of 

 Peacocks. These are birds, for the most 

 part, of large size. They feed on insects, 

 fruit, and grain. One of them (the common 

 kind) is an inhabitant of Asia and Africa, 

 another of China, the third of Thibet, and 

 the fourth of Japan. 



THE CBESTED, OR COMMON PEACOCK. 



If, says M. de Buffon, empire were claimed by beauty, and not by 

 power, the Peacock would, 

 without contradiction, be the 

 king of birds. For elegance 

 of form, and brilliancy of 

 plumage, it is exceeded by 

 none of the feathered race. 

 On the Peacock it is that 

 nature appears to have be- 

 stowed her treasures with the 

 greatest profusion. Its large 

 flze, imposing manner, firm 

 tread, and noble figure : the 

 rich crest upon its head, 

 adorned with brilliant colors: 

 its matchless plumage, ap- 

 pearing to combine every 

 thing that can delight the eye 

 — all contend to place it high 

 in our esteem. These beau- 

 tiful plumes, however, are 

 shed every year. At this 

 period the bird seems humili- 

 ated ; and searches the shades, 

 in order to conceal himself 

 from our eyes until a new spring restores to him his usual attire. 



The brilliant train of the Peacock is not its tail : the long feathers 

 that form it do not grow from the rump, but upon the back. A range 

 of short, brown, stiff feathers, fixed upon the rump, is the real tail, and 

 MTves as a support to the train. When the train is elevated, nothing 



COMKOn rZACOCH. 



