236 PROFITS IK POULTRY. 



short, stiff, and brown, about six inches long, and sfcrve 

 as a prop to support the immense train. By a peculiar 

 muscular action, the long train feathers can be erected 

 and spread, and their shafts made to strike together and 

 produce a chattering noise. The Pied peacock is white 

 upon the wings, belly, and breast; the rest of the plum- 

 age is as showy as in the other species. Pure white birds 

 are very rare, and highly valued; but from the absence 

 of the gorgeous coloring of the common kinds, they suf- 

 fer greatly in contrast with the latter. It is not until 

 the second year that the difference between the sexes be- 

 comes apparent. The bird lives from 20 to 25 years, 

 and reaches maturity slowly. The third year the train 

 of the cock becomes developed, and it is only when it 

 exhibits its full coloring that he is ready to be mated 

 with three or four hens. 



The pea-hen lays her eggs on alternate days, and when 

 she has produced five or six she will incubate, unless the 

 eggs have been removed. She makes her nest upon the 

 ground, in a secluded place, beneath the shelter of low 

 bushes, long grass, or weeds. The maternal instinct is 

 well developed in some hens; in other hens it is so lack- 

 ing that they even destroy their own young, or leave 

 them to perish from neglect. The period of incubation 

 is from 24 to 29 days. The pea-fowls have strong local 

 attachments, and they rarely leave the place where they 

 have been reared and fed. They are sensible of kind 

 treatment, and will become very tame when gently used 

 and petted. They have a habit of roosting high, and 

 will choose an elevated place on the top of the highest 

 tree or buildings to which they can gain access. When 

 but three days old, the chicks are able to reach a roost 

 two or three feet high; and if they can mount from one 

 step to another, they will follow the old birds to their 

 highest roosting places. The birds are naturally shy, 

 and their treatment must be regulated accordingly. The 



