154 THE JAVANESE PEACOCK. 



the yellow skin which surrounds the eyes. The fol- 

 lowing is a more detailed description of a beautiful 

 specimen in the Edinburgh Museum, from which 

 our illustration is taken. 



This bird is nearly similar in size to the common 

 peacock, but the whole plumage is of more sub- 

 dued brilliancy. The principal distinction is ia the 

 form of the feathers of the crest, which, instead 

 of a nearly bare shaft, and round moon at the tip, 

 as in the common peacock, are lengthened, webbed 

 from the base nearly of an equal breadth, and com- 

 pared by Temminck to the tail of the long-tailed 

 titmouse. The bare space upon the cheeks, and 

 round the eyes, is of a fine gamboge-yellow. The 

 head, neck, and fore part of the breast, are of a 

 peculiar greenish tint, being brilliant, with golden 

 reflections in some lights ; in others appearing dull 

 and subdued. The lower parts are of a dull deep 

 greenish brown, instead of the rich blue of the 

 well known bird. The train is not so ample in 

 proportion, and the eyes or moons are less nume- 

 rous ; the centre of each is rich blue, encircled with 

 green, brown, and finally with a bronzed ring. The 

 shoulders and wing-coverts are without the beau- 

 tifully waved appearance of the common peacock, 

 and are of a deep blue. The edge of the wing and 

 quills are pale yellowish-red. A gradual change 

 from the young state to the full plumage takes place, 

 and it is the third moult before the complete train 

 is displayed. 



