THE PEAHEN. 211 



what it supposes to be one of its race. The peaheri, 

 when roused from its peaceful slumbers by the effect' 

 of the light, and the noise that is made, instantly flies 

 at the senseless impostor, and is easily caught in the 

 prepared string. 



There are several varieties of this curious bird, some 

 of which are crested, and others white ; but that which 

 is known by the peacock of Thibet is allowed to be the 

 most beautiful of the feathered race ; its colours are a 

 mixture of blue, yellow, red, and green, all blended' 

 with the most artificial exactness, and forming the 

 most pleasing combination to the sight. 



THE TURKEY* 



Though the natal place of the cock and peacock 

 have, without any difficulty, been positively ascer^ 

 tained, the clime which gave birth to this useful race 

 of animals is by no means so absolutely known ; as 

 some are of opinion it was brought from the East In- 

 dies, and others that it was not known until the disco- 

 very of the New World. 



Those who contend for the latter opinion observe, 

 that, among all the descriptions we have of eastern 

 birds, the history of the turkey is no where to be found ; 

 and it is very well known that, in the new continent, 

 hundreds of them are running wild about the woods. 



With us, when young, they are peculiarly tender; 

 and it is with the utmost difficulty that a whole brood 

 of them are reared ; but in Canada, where the forests 

 are covered with snow three parts of the year, they 

 thrive without the slightest attention and care. Their 

 size infinitely surpasses the European breed, and their 

 feathers are much more beautiful to the sight ; the co- 



p 2 



