THE PEACOCK 279 



hangs his tail over the fence to the best advantage ; he 

 knows his name, and will stand still a long time, or show 

 off his tail for warm words of admiration." 



Another example of a Peacock's vanity is given by Mr. 

 Arthur C. Benson. It was a young bird, and it found out 

 that it could see itself in the polished panels of the 

 carriage whenever it was brought from the stables. It 

 got so much pleasure out of the sight, that it would even 

 follow the carriage down the drive, in case the driver 

 should stop, and if he did, it would take uj) its stand and 

 study its reflection in the shiny wood. 



" It occurred to us to wonder what he would do if a 

 looking-glass were placed on the lawn. This was done, 

 and he at once found it out. Nothing will persuade him 

 to quit it. He will stand by it for hours together . . . 

 entirely absorbed. Sometimes he is motionless for a long 

 time ; occasionally he will move his head gently up and 

 down, and sometimes softly touching the glass with his 

 bill, appearing slightly bewildered by the contact. 



" If food is thrown to him he takes no notice, unless it 

 is close to the glass, when he will hurriedly gobble it up 

 and return to his occupation in haste, as though vexed at 

 being interrupted." 



Here is one more story : In a certain English country 

 house, one of the chief ornaments of the beautiful gardens 

 was a Peacock. Naturally enough he had many admirers, 

 but of these lie himself was the chief This fact was 

 noticed by the household cat, and she watched her op- 

 portunity. She was determined to humble this proud 

 bird if she could. 



Now the Peacock was in the habit of coming up regu- 

 larly every morning to the house to be fed. He would 

 take up his stand in front of the window and attract the 



