12 CLASS AVES. • 



The Peacocks, Pavo, Lin. 



Named Paons, in French, from theii' cry, are cha- 

 racterized by a crest or tuft upon the head, and by 

 the coverts of the tail being larger than the quills, 

 and capable of erection, so as to form a circle like a 

 wheel. Every person knows how brilliant are the 

 lax and silky barbs of these feathers, and the eye- 

 spot painted at the extremity of them. 



The Crested Peacock {Pavo Cristatus), Lin. Enl. 433 



and 434, 



In which the head is adorned with a tuft of 

 straight feathers, broad at the end. This superb 

 bird, originally of the north of India, was brought 

 into Europe by Alexander. The wild bird even 

 surpasses the domesticated in brilliancy. The back 

 and wings of the former are blue instead of golden 

 green, and the tail is fuller. 



The Japan Peacock, ill-named by Linnaeus Pavo 

 Muticus, for it is not without spurs. VieiU. Gal. 

 202, Shaw Nat. Mis. 641. 



This is a distinct species, with a crest of long and 

 narrow feathers ; the neck is not blue, but golden 

 green undulated. Its tail is nearly equal to that of 

 the common species. 



