THE PEACOCK. 175 



most typical of all the domestic breeds, namely, the game- 

 fowl. It is a significant fact that almost all the naturalists 

 in India, namely, Sir W. Elliot, Mr. S. N. Ward, Mr. 

 Layard, Mr. T. C. Jerdon, and Mr. Blyth, who are familiar 

 with Gallus bankiva, believe that it is the parent of most 

 or all of our domestic breeds." 



Another species of Eastern origin noticed by Shake- 

 speare is the Peacock (Pavo cristatus) : 



" Let frantic Talbot triumph for awhile, 

 And, like a peacock, sweep along his tail ; 

 We '11 pull his plumes and take away his train." 



Henry VI. Part I. Act iii. Sc. 3. 

 And elsewhere 



" Why, he stalks up and down like a peacock, a 

 stride and a stand." Troilus and Cressida, Act iii 

 Sc. 3* 



^Elian says peacocks were brought into Greece from 

 some barbarous country, and were held in such estimation 

 that a pair was valued at Athens at 1,000 drachmae, or 

 32 $s. iod. Peacocks' crests in ancient times were 

 among the ornaments of the Kings of England. 



Ernald de Aclent paid a fine to King John in 150 

 palfreys, with sackbuts, lorains, gilt spurs, and peacocks' 

 crests, such as would be for his credit. 



* See also Taming of the Shrew, Act iv. Sc. i, and Tempest, Act iv. Sc. i. 



