THE PEACOCKS. 131 



been studied more completely, it is now generally admitted that the Hoatzin is a game-bird, and yet 

 exhibits certain affinities to the Touracoes (Musophagid<K). The scientific name of the Hoatzin is 

 Opisthocoiiiiis criatatus, and it is an inhabitant of Guiana and the Amazon region, where it assembles 

 in large flocks. It nests in the lower part of a tree, the eggs being three or four, white, spotted with 

 reddish tint. 



THE THIRD FAMILY OF THE GAME-BIEDS-THE PHEASANTS (Phasianida). 

 The present family includes some game-birds differing in appearance, such, for instance, 

 as the Peacocks, the Jungle-fowl, and the Guinea-fowl : in fact, Mr. D. G. Elliot, the author of 

 a large work on the subject, recognises 110 less than eight sub-families, including also the Turkeys 

 among the number. Three sub-families may easily be recognised the Peacocks (Pavonince), 

 with their elongated tails, and general tendency to an " ocellated " plumage, exhibiting the large 

 rounded metallic spots, or " ocelli," which are so marked a feature in the Peacocks and Argus 

 Pheasants ; secondly, the true Pheasants (Phatianince) ; and thirdly, the Guinea-fowls (Numidiiwe). 



THE FIRST SUB-FAMILY OF THE PHASIANID^E, OR PHEASANTS. 

 THE PEACOCKS (Pavonine). 



The true Peacocks are Asiatic birds, and in some parts of India are very abundant, being, as a 

 rule, unmolested by the natives, who have a great dislike to their being killed. Large flocks may, 

 therefore, often be seen ; and the birds are described by Indian naturalists as being even more 

 beautiful in a wild state than they are in a domesticated condition, though it is well known what an 

 ornament they are in gardens. Scarcely anything more gorgeous can be met with in the whole 

 range of bird-life than a male Peacock in full plumage ; and the bird seems to be conscious of 

 the admiration he excites, when he displays his long plumes, and gently rustles them, to give effect 

 to the beautiful " eyes," or " ocelli," which ornament his train. The long feathers which he expands 

 in the shape of a fan are not, as is so often stated, the Peacock's tail ; but are simply the upper tail- 

 coverts prolonged to a prodigious extent : the true tail-feathers being very much shorter, and serving, 

 when spread, as a support to the fan-like disc, which constitutes so splendid an attraction in these 

 birds. As a rule, however, the stigma which attaches to the Peacock of being a vain bird a saying 

 quite proverbial is scarcely deserved, as the bird is no more vain than any other game-bird at ' the 

 .season of love. It is to his mate that the Peacock generally shows himself off to the best advantage ; 

 though at the sight of another male displaying his tail the bird will often commence to spread his 

 own plumes. That the object is to endear himself to the female is seen by the way in which he 

 walks slowly in front of her, turning when she turns, and gently quivering his fan as if to attract 

 her attention ; and it is not an unusual sight to see three or four birds in the Zoological Gardens of 

 London displaying themselves at one and the same time. 



" The Peafowl," writes Dr. Jerdon, " inhabits the whole of India proper, being replaced in 

 Assam, and in the countries to the east, by another species. It frequents forests, and jungly places, 

 more especially delighting in hilly and mountainous districts ; and in the more open and level country, 

 wooded ravines, and river banks are the never-failing resorts. It comes forth to the open glades 

 and fields to feed in the morning and evening, retiring to the jungles for shelter during the heat of 

 the day, and roosting at night on high trees. It ascends the Neilgherry and other mountain regions 

 in Southern India to 6,000 feet or so of elevation ; but it does not ascend the Himalayas, at all 

 events in Sikkim, beyond 2,000 feet. In many parts of the country it is almost domesticated, entering 

 villages, and roosting on the huts, and it is venerated by the natives in many districts. Many 

 Hindoo temples have large flocks of them ; indeed, shooting it is forbidden in some Hindoo states. 

 The Peafowl breeds according to the locality ; from April till October generally in Southern India ; 

 towards the close of the rains laying from four to eight or nine eggs in some sequestered spot. The 

 Peacock, during the courting season, raises his tail vertically, and with it, of course, the lengthened 

 train, spreading it out and strutting about to captivate the hen birds ; and he has the power of 

 clattering the feathers in a most curious manner. It is a beautiful sight to come suddenly on twenty 

 or thirty Peafowls, the males displaying their gorgeous trains, and strutting about in all the pomp 

 of pride before the gratified females. The train, of course, increases in length for many yearei at each 



