286 PHEASANTS. 



and even in the Old World their distribution is almost exclusively- 

 restricted to the warmer parts of the Asiatic continent and its 

 dependent islands. In this group we have the typical characters 

 of the Gallinaceous Order displayed in the conspicuous shortness 

 of the hind toe, the formidable spurs on the legs, and the extraor- 

 dinarily beautiful development of the tail. They are all ground- 

 loving bu'ds, and run with great speed, so that they all prefer to 

 trust tj their legs rather than to their winga. Their nests are 

 placed upon the ground, and are generally of the rudest descrip- 

 tion, being merely a heap of leaves, grasses, and similar materials 

 collected together in a heap, with a very slight depression, caused, 

 apparently, quite as much by the weight of the eggs as by any 

 exercise of skill on the part of the bird. The eggs are numerous, 

 more especially with such as are reared in a state of domesticity, 

 a circumstance which adds not a little to their value and im- 

 portance. They may all be classed under the following sub- 

 families : the Peacocks, the true Pheasants, the Jungle-Fowls, the 

 Tuikeys, and the Monauls. 



Sub-Family I. 



THE PEACOCKS. rAVONIN.-E. 

 Gr.NERAL Characteristics. — Tail and its coverts much developed and depressed. 



These magnificent birds inhabit various parts of India, Thibet, 

 and some of the islands in the Indian Ocean. They abound 

 most in the woody districts in the low jungles, but are met with 

 even in gardens, in which they seek their food. The severe cold 

 of the mountainous parts of Northern India does not hurt them. 

 The male is three years old before he attains his full plumage. 

 Their nest is formed amongst the thickest shrubs, or on high 

 garden walls or roofs. When the young are bred in an elevated 

 situation, they are said to be carried down to the ground by the 

 parent on her back. 



The type of the race — 



The Common Peacock {Pavo crisiaius), is perhaps adorned with a 

 more gorgeous pliini;ige tiian any other bird. Nearly all his feathers exhibit 

 more or less nietailic lustre ; his head is crowned with an elegant tuft of slen- 

 der stems, each supporting at its extremity a small brilliant palette ; his neck 



