GREEN PEAFOWL 193 



this island it occurs generally, but, like the Ayamalas or Green Junglefowl, is rather rare 

 in the west, becoming more abundant in the east, occurring also here and there near the 

 south coast of the Preanger District. It is more of a mountain bird, extending up in 

 some cases as high as three thousand feet, although it also occurs well down on the 

 lowlands, but almost never to the coast itself. 



GENERAL ACCOUNT 



The distinction has been made between the two species of Peafowl that the Green 

 bird lives rather in isolated families and is not so generally distributed as the Indian 

 bird. But I think in this respect, as in many others, the habits of the two birds are 

 almost exactly alike, where absolutely feral Indian birds are considered. It is certainly 

 true in the case of the Green Peafowl that even w^here they are most abundant they occur 

 in small isolated groups ; sometimes two or three cocks and a larger number of hens, 

 more often a single cock and his harem. I have observed this both in Pahang and 

 Java. 



Not only this, but these groups are extremely sedentary, and where not molested 

 may be found in the same patch of jungle month after month, feeding in various places, 

 but usually drinking and roosting with extreme regularity. Even where no effort is 

 made to disturb the birds, they show a very different acceptance of this immunity. 

 They often feed in pastures where domestic animals are kept, and less often wander into 

 cultivated fields, but they are always on the alert and never permit the very close 

 approach of man. No scarecrows are necessary, a single alarm will serve to keep them 

 at a distance for days at a time. 



There is considerably more variation in the voice of these Peafowl than in the 

 Indian birds. I have heard a male call in answer to one of the latter species when 

 it was difficult to tell the two cries apart. Both had the same harsh, strident, mournful 

 wail. The Malay name Merak is onomatopoetic. More than this, however, the Green 

 bird has a second call which I have heard given time after time, the time, place and 

 reiteration suggesting its being a new vocal acquisition. This is a subdued but very 

 penetrating cry, several syllables following one another in quick succession, easy to 

 imitate, but impossible to transcribe into words. The loud scream seems relegated 

 to express emotions of fear or of intense effort, as in escaping from the onrush of 

 an animal, or in beginning the flight up to the roost. The call or challenge note is 

 especially characterized by its ventriloquial quality. This, one would judge, must be of 

 great value to the calling bird, if we concede that the confusing quality be potent in the 

 case of listening beasts of prey. The comment on the migrations and flight of the 

 Indian Peafowl apply quite as well to the one under consideration. 



As the Green Peafowl is less tolerant of the vicinity of man, so is it correspondingly 

 more ready to accept life in the dense jungles. And yet in this, as in the other species, 

 my assertion still holds that Peafowl are not real jungle birds. Pahang, for example, is 

 covered for the most part with dense forest, and Peafowl are abundant, but they haunt 

 the banks of rivers by preference. When found away from these places it is because 

 there are large pampas-like areas, on the edge of which they may be found. They seem 

 to want room to take to flight if need be — to perceive danger before it gets within 



