62 THE PEACOCK. 



of varying colours, ending in a flat vane, which 

 is decorated with what is called the eye. The 

 real tail consists of short, stiff, brown feathers, 

 which serve as a support to the train. When 

 pleased or delighted, and in sight of his fe- 

 males, the Peacock erects his train, and dis- 

 plays all the majesty of his beauty; all his 

 movements are full of dignity; his head and 

 neck bend nobly back ; his pace is slow and 

 solemn, and he frequently turns slowly and 

 gracefully round, as if to catch the sunbeams 

 in every direction, and produce new colours of 

 inconceivable richness and beauty, accompa- 

 nied at the same time with a hollow murmuring 

 voice expressive of desire. The cry of the 

 Peacock, at other times, is often repeated and 

 very disagreeable. The plumes are shed every 

 year, and, while moulting them, the bird, as if 

 humiliated, retires from view. 



The Peahen is somewhat less than the male, 

 and though furnished both with a train and 

 crest, is destitute of those dazzling beauties 

 which distinguish her consort. 



