236 PROFITS IN POULTRY. 
short, stiff, and brown, about six inches long, and serve 
as a prop to support: the immense train. By a peculiar 
muscular action, the long train feathers can be erected 
and spread, and their shafts made to strike together and 
produce a chattering noise. The Pied peacock is white 
upon the wings, belly, and breast; the rest of the plum- 
age is as showy as in theother species. Pure white birds 
are very rare, and highly valued; but from the absence 
of the gorgeous coloring of the common kinds, they suf- 
fer greatly in contrast with the latter. It is not until 
the second year that the difference between the sexes be- 
comes apparent. The bird lives from 20 to 25 years, 
and reaches maturity slowly. The third year the train 
of the cock becomes developed, and it is only when it 
exhibits its full coloring that he is ready to be mated 
with three or four hens. 
The pea-hen lays her eggs on alternate days, and when 
she has produced five or six she will incubate, unless the 
eggs have been removed. She makes her nest upon the 
ground, in a secluded place, beneath the shelter of low 
bushes, long grass, or weeds. ‘I'he maternal instinct is 
well developed in some hens; in other hens it is so lack- 
ing that they even destroy their own young, or leave 
them to perish from neglect. The period of incubation 
is from 24 to 29 days. The pea-fowls have strong local 
attachments, and they rarely leave the place where they 
have been reared and fed. They are sensible of kind 
treatment, and will become very tame when gently used 
and petted. They have a habit of roosting high, and 
will choose an elevated place on the top of the highest 
tree or buildings to which they can gain access. When 
but three days old, the chicks are able to reach a roost 
two or three feet high; and if they can mount from one 
step to another, they wili follow the old birds to their 
highest roosting places. ‘The birds are naturally shy, 
and their treatment must be regulated accordingly. The 
