184 THE PEA FOWL. 



brood, whose parents were both of the usual colors, 

 there were two of the common sort, one white cock, 

 and one white hen. 



As might be expected of a bird that has been reared 

 in captivity for several thousand years, the pea fowl 

 has been rendered very tame, and capable of consider- 

 able attachment to man in almost every country in 

 the globe. By regular feeding, it has easily been made 

 to take its place as a liveried attendant at the front 

 door, in order to show himself, and await with great 

 punctuality, for his meals. Indeed, so charming is 

 the perfect combination of grace and splendor, displayed 

 by these most lovely creatures, so excellent is their 

 flesh, so hardy are they in their adult state, that, were 

 it not for certain inconveniences, attendant upon keep- 

 ing them, and also, perhaps, for the indifference with 

 which everything not rare is apt to be regarded by us, 

 they would be sought after as never-tiring objects 

 wherewith to gratify the sense of sight. " Thus does 

 curiosity, in minds essentially vulgar, predominate 

 over the lasting sense of beauty ; and the glories of the 

 visible heavens, no less than the splendors of the pea- 

 cock, are passed with indifference by unreflecting 

 millions, because both are every-day sights." 



The natural disposition of the peacock is selfish and 

 gluttenous, and it is only by pampering this weakness 

 that he can be persuaded into obedience and attach- 

 ment. He is vain, and at the same time ungallant. 

 He is far from manifesting the politeness and attention 

 which the common cock shows towards his mates. 

 The peacock will greedily snatch from the mouth of 

 his hens those tit-bits and delicate ^morsels which the 

 cock would either share with his favorites, or yield to 

 them entirely. The peahen, in return, cares less for 

 her lord and master, and is more independent of him, 

 when once her amorous inclinations have been in- 

 dulged. She then regards the display of his tail, his 

 puffings and strutting?, and all the rattling of his 



