THE POULTRY KIND. 141 



not possessed of the same vigour, yet burns with 

 more immoderate desire. He requires five fe- 

 males at least to attend him ; and if there be not 

 a sufficient number, he will even run upon and 

 tread the sitting hen. For this reason the pea-hen 

 endeavours, as much as she can, to hide her nest 

 from the male, as he would otherwise disturb her 

 sitting, and break her eggs. 



The pea-hen seldom lays above five or six eggs 

 in this climate before she sits. Aristotle describes 

 her as laying twelve ; and it is probable, in her 

 native climate, she may be thus prolific ; for it is 

 certain, that in the forests where they breed na- 

 turally, they are numerous beyond expression. 

 This bird lives about twenty years ; and not till 

 its third year has it that beautiful variegated 

 plumage that adorns its tail. 



" In the kingdom of Cambaya," says Taverner, 

 " near the city of Baroch, whole flocks of them 

 are seen in the fields. They are very shy, how- 

 ever, and it is impossible to come near them. 

 They run off swifter than the partridge, and hide 

 themselves in thickets, where it is impossible to 

 find them. They perch, by night, upon trees ; 

 and the fowler often approaches them at that 

 season with a kind of banner, on which a peacock 

 is painted to the life, on either side. A lighted 

 torch is fixed on the top of this decoy ; and the 

 peacock, when disturbed, flies to what it takes for 

 another, and is thus caught in a noose prepared 

 for that purpose." 



There are varieties of this bird, some of which 

 are white, others crested : that which is called 



