103 BIRDS 



ing the hen where he can see her, until he is satisfied witfi 

 his surroundings. 



Dogs are the worst enemies of peafowl at large, and 

 strange as it may seem they have little difficulty in approach- 

 ing the birds. Stray dogs should be kept from grounds in 

 which peafowl are at liberty. 



The loftiest bough or ridge-pole is not too high for these 

 birds of Pan, and some such location will form the nightly 

 perch. The peacock is very prone to the utterance of loud 

 and unearthly shrieks, particularly at night, and for that 

 reason should be encouraged to roost as far as possible from 

 dwellings. 



The feeding described for pheasants is equally suitable 

 for peafowl. A mixture of sound grains is the chief item, 

 supplemented by occasional feeds of game food or mash. 

 Chopped vegetables and abundant green food must be fur- 

 nished when grass is not accessible to the birds. Table 

 scraps are not suitable for any birds, with the possible ex- 

 ception of barnyard chickens. 



The peafowl is polygamous and one cock may be kept 

 with two or three hens. The birds do equally well in larger 

 flocks, including several males, if there is room enough 

 for the weaker birds to avoid the more pugnacious indi- 

 viduals. The battles of peacocks are seldom sanguinary or 

 of long duration, but the victor will cruelly persecute the 

 vanquished if he has no means of escape. Peacocks must 

 not be allowed access to poultry yards, for some are mur- 

 derously inclined, and will play havoc among young chicks. 



Peahens usually lay in the early summer, the clutch 

 varying from two eggs to six. Females do not breed until 

 two years old. The period of incubation is about twenty- 

 eight days. It is by far the best to let the mother rear her 

 own brood. Domestic hens .will not range far enough to 

 allow the chicks to find the great number of insects they 



