PEA-FOWL. 



245 





PEA FOWL. 



i 



Of all the domestic fowls that are subservient to man, the 

 pea fowl is the most beautiful, and no one can look on its gor- 

 geous plumage, marked as by the pencil of the most exquisite 

 painter, and not wonder at the power of Nature, in thus pro- 

 ducing so magnificent a bird. In the vegetable kingdom we 

 find gorgeous hues that no painter can imitate ; and in the 

 animal kingdom the art of man is mocked, and his power of 

 decoration humbJed in the beautiful colors of the leopard and 

 zebra ; but among the feathered tribes is the chef-cTouvre of 

 Nature's exquisite art. But Nature is seldom lavish in more 

 than one of her eminent gifts to the same thing. The most 

 harmonious songsters are the most uncomely to the sight, and 

 in bestowing the gorgeous plumage to the pea .fowl, she with- 

 held the melody of her voice, and gave her a screech, that 

 would seem to belong to a hyena, or some other repugnant 

 animal. 



The pea fowl seldom lays before the third season, lays from five 

 to seven eggs, and sits from twenty-seven to twenty-nine days. 



