IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 341 



(384) THE BURMESE PEAFOWL. 



(PAVO MUTICUS— Linn.) 



This species is readily distinguished from the preceding by the 

 following characters : blue and conspicuous yellow colour of the facial 

 skin; the long and stiff occipital crest, formed of straight, narrow 

 feathers, with the greater portion of the web metallic blue, washed 

 with green ; the feathers of the neck, all round, and breast are brown 

 at the bases ; next, bronze greenish, assuming different hues in different 

 lights; and lastly, a narrow margin of black. There are other minor 

 points of distinction. 



Hab. — Arracan, Pegu, Tenasserim, the northern portions of the 

 Malay peninsula, Siam, and Java. 



Length or life in captivity. 



Peafowls are hardy birds, and given suitable habitation, bear 

 captivity extremely well. Some have been living in the garden 

 almost ever since its foundation. 



Treatment in health. 



Peafowls are so largely domesticated in India that it would be 

 superfluous to say anything in respect to their homing and feeding. It 

 may, however, be suggested that for the purpose of exhibiting them 

 in a menagerie, which necessitates a certain amount of restriction to 

 their liberty, a structure similar to that recommended for the bustards, 

 but larger and loftier, and with such modification of details as may be 

 required to accommodate their particular habits, should be provided. 



Breeding. —Peafowls in captivity commence laying in spring, and 

 continue, with irregular intervals, almost till the end of the rains. 



Observations on their habits. 



Peacocks have been observed to commence strutting about, or 

 dancing, as it is popularly called, as early as the middle of December, 

 while they have not yet assumed their full train, and to continue the 

 display until about the end of the rainy season. A peacock dancing 

 about this time looks a veritable guy, with the few shreds of old feathers 

 yet left, but about to fall off. A peacock has been known to manifest a 

 strange attachment to a particular spot, to which it resorts for dancing, 

 which generally takes place in the morning between 7 and 10. This 

 has continued for about four years now. The bird is loose and wanders 

 far and near, but every morning, as long as the dancing season lasts, it 

 may invariably be seen at the same spot, strutting about to the 

 admiration, not of its mate, but of the passers by and the street-boys. 



(385) THE PEACOCK-PHEASANT. 

 (POLYPLECTEON CHINQUES— Temm.) 



Beo-derrick of the Assamese. 

 Hab.— Assam, Sylhet, Cachar, Hill Tipperah, Chittagong, Arracan, 

 Pegu, and Tenasserim, extending to TBurmah and Siam. 



