32(5 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Description Love of liberty. 



to the root, is about eighteen inches long ; the 

 legs, the feet, and the toes, are of the colour of 

 horn. There are black spurs on the legs, shorter 

 than those of a cock ; there is a membrane 

 that connects two of the toes together. The 

 male is much more beautiful than the female, 

 who is generally of a light brown, intermixed 

 with black. The general weight of the male is 

 from two pounds and twelve ounces to three 

 pounds and four ounces. That of the hen is 

 usually about ten ounces less. 



The flesh of this bird has been long considered 

 as one of the greatest dainties in autumn ; and 

 when the old physicians spake of the wholesome- 

 ness of any viands, they made their comparison 

 with the flesh of the pheasant. These perfec- 

 tions were, doubtless, sufficient temptations for 

 man to endeavour to render it domestic, but in 

 vain has he employed his ingenuity for that pur- 

 pose, for however it has been bred, and in what- 

 ever manner it has been instructed, no sooner 

 has it obtained its liberty, than disdaining the 

 protection of man, it has left him to take shelter 

 in the thickest woods and remotest forests: even 

 when kept in captivity, upon all occasions he 

 shews his spirit of independence. When taken 

 wild, he is rendered furious by the loss of his 

 freedom, and attacks with his bill the compani- 

 ons of his captivity, not sparing even the 

 peacock. 



The female has sometimes been known to 



