V b OUR DOMESTIC FOWLS. 



ference on the part of the male with the 

 female during incubation. 



Sir Robert Heron, Bart., in his notes, (Proc. 

 Zool. Soc. 1835, p. 54,) says, " For a good 

 many years I have attended to the habits of 

 pea-fowl, and for the last eleven years have 

 ■written down my observations. I find the 

 individuals to differ as much in temper as 

 human beings : some are willing to take care 

 of the young ones of others, whilst some have 

 pursued and killed them, and this whether 

 they had a brood of their own or not. Some 

 cocks have assisted in the care of young ones, 

 whilst others have attacked them. An early 

 hen frequently has a brood herself the next 

 year. Age makes no difference in the number 

 of the brood. I have had si.K from a hen a 

 year old, and one from an old hen." Sir 

 Robert Heron also adverts to the decided par- 

 tiality shown by the pea-fowl towards some 

 particular individual, and their neglect of 

 others, as well as the court paid by the hens 

 to the males. 



The peacock is not completely matured and 

 in full dress till the third year. The food of 

 these birds consists of grain of various kinds ; 

 the leaves and buds of vegetables ; insects and 



