210 THE V EACOCK. 



and Ceylon Isles ; and it was formerly considered as 

 the finest delicacy that could be brought to the tables 

 of the rich and great. This practice, however, has 

 long been discontinued, and they are seldom seen but 

 at an alderman's or lord mayor's feast. 



Like other birds of the poultry kind, the peacock 

 chiefly feeds upon corn ; but barley is allowed to be 

 its favourite grain. ■ Insects and tender plants are often 

 eagerly sought, if it happens not to find a sufficiency 

 of its accustomed food ; it will then lay waste the la- 

 bours of the gardener, root up all his choicest seeds, 

 and nip the buds of his most curious flowers. The 

 peacock is said to live about twenty j^ears, but its 

 plumage does not acquire complete beaury until it has 

 attained its third. 



THE PEAHEN. 



In this climate the peahen seldom lays more than- 

 six eggs, though Aristotle informs us, that, in its na- 

 tive clime, it generally lays twelve before it attempts 

 to sit, which is always a time of much solicitude to the 

 poor animal, as she is obliged to conceal her retreat 

 from the male, to prevent him from disturbing her, 

 or destroying her eggs. 



In the kingdom of Cambaya, near the city of Baroch, 

 travellers assert that whole flocks of them overspread 

 the fields ; but even there they are shy and timid, and 

 conceal themselves id the hedges if a human form is 

 seen. They perch by night upon the highest trees, 

 and those who wish to take them must choose that 

 period to decoy the unsuspecting bird in the snare. — 

 To succeed in this undertaking a banner is held up, 

 with a peacock on each of its sides, to which is at- 

 tached a noose and a torch, that the animal may see 





