PEACOCKS. 441^ 



only at the coinmencement of the sixteenth. Anderson affirms 

 that the first Turkeys raised and eaten in France were served at 

 the marriage of Charles IX., in 1570. 



The Honduras or Ocellated Turkey {Meleagris ocellata, Cuvier) 

 is one of the most beautiful Gallinaeeans ; its plumage is mag- 

 nificent ; the tail is enamelled with large blue eyes, each of which 

 is surrounded with a circle of brilliant yellow and purple. It 

 inhabits the country surrounding the Bay of Honduras, Southern 

 Mexico, and all Central America. At the Regent's Park Gardens, 

 London, is to be seen a splendid hybrid, bred between the American 

 Wild Turkey and the Honduras species. 



The tribe of Peacocks comprehends the genera Paw cristatus, 

 Hist. Anim. ; Pavo javanicus, Horsfield ; and Lophophores. The 

 feature which essentially distinguishes Peacocks from other Gal- 

 linaeeans is the immense tail with which nature has endowed 

 them. This tail, formed of long, large, and tufted feathers, coloured 

 with the richest shades, is caj)able of being raised up like that of 

 a Turkey. When one contemplates this magnificent aj^pendage, 

 in which purple and gold vie with the most varying colours of the 

 emerald, and notices the innumerable and brilliant eyes with which 

 it is studded — when with delight he views its loft}^ stature, elegant 

 shape, noble carriage, and, above all, a slight and mobile tuft, 

 the emblem of royalty, crowning its head — one cannot help being 

 struck with lively admiration, and spontaneously according the 

 palm of beauty to the privileged being which unites in itself so 

 many marvels. The Peacock was known from the earliest time ; 

 for it is mentioned in the Bible as one of the most precious products 

 brought from Asia by King Solomon's ships. It made its first 

 appearance in Greece after Alexander's expedition into India. 

 Alexander, it is said, was so astonished at the sight of this bird 

 that he forbade it to be killed under the severest penalties. Por 

 a long time they were very rare, and fetched a high price at Athens, 

 and the people from the neighbouring towns assembled in crowds 

 to see them. From the Greeks they passed to the Romans ; but 

 this nation, more fond of the pleasures of the table than of 

 spectacles, soon made them figure in their feasts. Peacocks 

 consequently were rapidly propagated in the poultry-yards oi' 

 the rich patricians ; and some of the emperors, such as Yitellius 



