Characteristics of Peafowls 297 



PEAFOWLS 



Peafowls are reared in small numbers by those 

 who delight in seeing the most gorgeous plumage 

 of domesticated fowls. They are not reared for 

 their flesh nor for egg production. It is recorded,* 

 however, that in the reign of Henry VI of England, 

 peacocks were highly esteemed as a delicacy. In 

 some respects peafowls are quite as near the wild 

 forms from which they have descended as any species 

 of domesticated fowls. They delight in perching at 

 a great distance from the ground and frequently fly 

 to the roofs of tall farm buildings. They fly easily 

 and gracefully. 



The male or cock bird is by far the most gor- 

 geous of farm fowls. Peafowls are reared almost 

 wholly on account of the proud and brilliant appear- 

 ance of the male. The brilliant coloring of the head 

 and neck feathers and his large and beautiful tail 

 make him a source of delight to children and an 

 interesting bird to adults. The hen is modest-appear- 

 ing and unattractive in coloring. The cock is gener- 

 ally troublesome in the poultry yard on account of 

 his disposition to kill other kinds of poultry, particu- 

 larly young chickens and ducks. Cocks have been 

 known to attack mature fowls and even children 

 and adults. The male does not acquire his most 

 brilliant and perfect plumage until he is more than 



* "Book of Poultry," Wright, p. 531. 



