2i6 A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS 



There are but two true species of wild peafowl in the world, the Common or Indian 

 {Pavo cristatus) and the Green (Pavo muticus). The former is much the more abundant 

 bird and the one most generally seen in captivity. It will stand almost any climate, 

 and even in such severe humid cold as is experienced in New York City it requires only 

 an open shed for shelter. Indeed, in the midst of a swirling snowstorm these birds may 

 often be seen roosting on swaying branches high in the air, wholly unprotected, white 

 with snow, but with head hidden deep under the warm feathers, defying the fury of the 

 elements. These birds breed freely and the hens will take entire charge of the eggs and 

 young birds. 



Like other creatures which have been bred extensively by man, tame peafowl 

 sometimes have young which are in part or entirely albinos. When a peacock is pure 

 white — head, body and train — it is a very striking and beautiful object, especially when 

 the snowy plumes are raised. Such a bird seems like the ghost of a real peacock. 



Another sport or phase of colour is the black-winged or japanned peacock. The 

 males are very dark, while the females are light. This, like the typically coloured 

 Indian, is hardy and can be bred in any climate. 



The Green Peacock, with its wonderful scaly mantle of golden green, is one of the 

 most beautiful of all birds. It is far less hardy than the Indian species, and although it 

 can be acclimated so that it will winter in an unheated building, yet the air should 

 be kept above freezing point, and indeed it is much better to confine the birds during 

 cold weather in a temperature of from 50° to 65°. 



The peahen of both species may be allowed to have full management of her chicks. 

 She can usually be trusted to lay her eggs in a safe place, and when it comes to 

 defending them against danger, there is nothing that the brave bird will not face 

 and attack. 



Occasionally, however, the peahen proves to be a poor mother, and where peachicks 

 are raised extensively the common barnyard hen is usually employed as mother. Even 

 better, because of her larger size, is a hen turkey. 



Under these conditions if the chicks have a run where they can catch insects they 

 will need but little feed, except a mixture in the morning and evening of chopped lettuce, 

 hard-boiled tgg and prepared pheasant or game food. They will soon eat grain, and 

 should then be given corn, wheat, barley or millet, with a small ration of leguminous 

 vegetables. 



If hatched in an incubator, a run about three feet wide, three feet high and twelve 

 feet long is as good a size as any, one end of which should be covered in with boards 

 or canvas. 



A peahen usually lays three clutches of eggs each year, if the first are taken away 

 and hatched by some other fowl. This first laying is usually the largest, but the 

 number of eggs will run from five to nine. 



