1 16 HISTORY Of 



many yems without corrupting ; and it is asserted of the pea- 

 cock's tlesh, that it keeps longer unputrified than that of any 

 other animal. To give a higher zest to these entertainments, on 

 ^\•eddings particularly, they filled the bird's beak and throat with 

 cotton and camphire, which they set on fire, to amuse and de- 

 light the company. I do not know that the peacock is much 

 used at our entertainments at present, except now and then at an 

 alderman's dinner, or common-council feast, when our citizens 

 resolve to be splendid; and even then it is never served with 

 its cotton and camphire. 



Like other birds of the poultry kind, the peacock feeds upop 

 corn, but its chief predilection is for barley. But as it is a very 

 proud and fickle bird, there is scarcely any food that it will not 

 at times covet and pursue. Insects and tender plants are often 

 eagerly sought at a time that it has a sufficiency of its natural 

 food provided more nearly. In the indulgence of these capri- 

 cious pursuits walls cainiot easily confine it ; it strips the tops 

 of houses of their tiles or thatch, it lays waste the labours of 

 the gardener, roots up his choicest seeds, and nips his favourite 

 flowers in the bud. Thus its beauty but ill recompenses for 

 the mischief it occasions ; and many of the more homely look- 

 ing fowls are very deservedly preferred before it. 



Nor is the peacock less a debauchee in its affections, than 

 a glutton in its appetites. He is still more salacious than even 

 the cock ; and though not possessed of the same vigour, yet bums 

 with more immoderate desire. He requires five females 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 

 peahen 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 peahen 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 wheve they breed naturally, 

 they are numerous beyond expression. This bird lives about 

 twenty years ; and not till its third year has it that beautiful va. 

 riegated plumage that adorns its tail. 



" In the kingdom of Cambaya," says Tavernier, " near the 

 city of Baroch, whole flocks of them are seen in the fields. 

 They are very shy, however, and it is impossible to come near 



