172 COMMON PEACOCK. 



thers,and appears eager to fly at any creature whieh seems 

 desirous to avoid him ; but the moment any signs of re- 

 sistance are shown, he retreats. It has been well ob- 

 served, that this bird is a strong image of a bully, in whom 

 cowardice and pride are each so greatly predominant ; 

 for, immediately after accomplishing any of his petty 

 insults, he returns to his train, displays his plumage, struts 

 about the yard, and makes his gobbling noise of self- 

 congratulation. These birds are extremely irascible, and 

 have a peculiar aversion to everything which is of a red 

 colour. The female lays eighteen or twenty eggs, which 

 are somewhat larger than those of the goose. Turkeys 

 are now chiefly bred in the counties of Norfolk and Suf- 

 folk, from whence they are frequently driven to the Lon- 

 don markets, in flocks consisting of some hundreds. In 

 doing this, the attendants employ only a long stick, hav- 

 ing a bit of red rag at the end. 



28. PEACOCK TRIBE. 



Of four species of Peacocks which are hitherto known, 

 one, the common kind, is found in Asia and Africa, an- 

 other in China, a third in Thibet, and the fourth in Japan. 

 They feed on insects, fruit, and grain. 



Common Peacock. This is undoubtedly the most beau- 

 tiful of all birds ; and when his train is fully expanded, it 

 is scarcely possible to figure to the mind any animal pro- 

 duction which is more magnificent. He has, however, a 

 harsh and very peculiar cry, which to many persons is 

 grating and unpleasant. Peacocks have been known in 

 Europe ever since the time of Alexander the Great ; and 

 they have long been domesticated in Britain. Their flesh 

 was formerly in great esteem as food : among the Romans 



