CHAP. X.] FARMING FOR LADIES, 235 



but, unless when the bird is very young, the 

 flesh is coarse and stringy ; and although we 

 sometimes hear of a pea-chick, or a young 

 pea-hen being brought to table, it is yet more 

 for the indulgence of curiosity than appetite. 

 It is, indeed, so very inferior to that of the 

 turkey, that its use has been entirely super- 

 seded by the latter. 



The peacock, although seldom indulged 

 with more than one mate, would yet be better 

 pleased with half a dozen. The hens sit on 

 their eggs the same time as turkeys ; their 

 chicks are also equally tender ; and they may 

 be reared in the same manner. When full 

 grown, they are however quite as hardy, 

 braving all kinds of weather, roosting on the 

 trees around the house, and keeping strict 

 watch on the nightly intrusion of strangers, 

 which they announce, like the guinea-fowl, 

 with a very disagreeable shriek. Like them 

 also, they are sad depredators on the kitchen - 

 garden ; and there is a saying in Italy, that 

 " the peacock has the plumage of an angel, 

 the voice of the devil, and the guts of a 

 thief." 



