114 PEACOCK. 



Among some Chinese drawings which some years since came 

 under our inspection, was an extraordinary Variety of the Peacock. 

 It had a semicircular, yellowish skin, surrounding the hind part of 

 the head ; the scapular feathers covered with eyes, and the feathers 

 of the crest adorned in the same manner; the tail, or train, fan-shaped, 

 the feathers^ with two eyes on each, with an outer circle of crimson ; 

 legs blue, with a sharp spur. We can only observe here, that as the 

 other birds in this collection of drawings seemed to be faithfully done, 

 it may form an apology for at least giving its description. 



Independent of the value set upon the Peacock as an article of 

 food, the feathers were ever esteemed for ornament; for we learn, 

 that the crest made part of the dress of great men both in India, 

 and this Kingdom. In the reign of King John a fine was paid to 

 him by Ernald de Aclent, which consisted, among other things, of 

 Peacocks' crests ; and in the time of Queen Elizabeth, fans were in 

 use, composed of the feathers of the train of this splendid bird ; 

 probably before the folding paper, or leather, fans came into use, 

 and which seem to have originated with the Chinese. The feather 

 fans, we are told, were for the most part rather expensive : we may 

 suppose on account of the handles, in which the value chiefly con- 

 sisted. One is mentioned as having been presented to the Queen, as 

 a new-year's gift,* studded with diamonds ;f and it is not uncommon 

 for a fan to cost £40. J Silver handled fans are mentioned by many 

 authors, as also those of gold. 



2 —BLACK-SHOULDERED PEACOCK. 



Pavo cristatus primus, Paoa sauvage, Tent. Pig. Sf Gall. 8vo. ii. p. 28 ? 



THE size of this beautiful bird is somewhat less than the Common 

 Peacock, and at first may be taken for a Variety of that Species ; 



* See the shape of such fan in Qu. Eliz. Progress, 1578. p. 106. also p. 53. where fans 

 of other feathers are engraved, one according to appearance composed of those of the 

 Ostrich. f Warton. Id. p. 53. % Id. ib. — Malone. 



