GRUIFOBMES. 399 



The Pea-fowl (Pavo cristatus). — The pea-fowl is a native of 

 India and Ceylon. Only three species seem to be known — our 

 common domestic one, the Javan species (P. muticus), and a 

 black-winged species (P. nii/ripennis). These birds have a crest 

 of feathers on the head, and the male has some of the back- 

 feathers and the upper tail-coverts of considerable length and 

 ocellated. The pea-fowl was well known to the ancients from 

 the time of Solomon. It is looked upon with veneration by 

 the Hindoos, and in many States is not allowed to be shot. 

 They live to ten and twelve and even more years old, and look 

 after their young through the winter. Incubation lasts twenty- 

 eight days. It is said that they were introduced into Europe 

 by Alexander the Great. There is little or no difference be- 

 tween our tame ones and the wild birds of India at the present 

 day, with the exception that white varieties are found under 

 domestication. 



9. Gruiformes. 



Eails ani) Coots (Ealli). 



The Eails or Crakes, Moorhen, and Coots are included in the 

 family Ralliclce. They are strong-legged, active-running birds, 

 some being aquatic in habits. The best-known example is the 

 Moorhen (Gallinula Moropus). 



The Moorhen or Water-hen is a resident bird with us, but 

 partial migrations take place in very severe winters from north 

 to south. The upper plumage is dark olive-brown ; head, neck, 

 and belly slaty-grey, with white streaks towards the legs ; the 

 under tail-coverts are white ; base of bill red, rest yellow ; legs 

 yellowish-green with a red band around them above the tarsal 

 joint. The female moorhen is larger than the male, and often 

 brighter in colour. The young differ chiefly in having a 

 greenish beak and legs and a white throat. The nest is built 

 in a variety of places — amongst reeds and water-plants as a 

 rule ; but they are sometimes found on trees some height from 



