41 8 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



caused dishes of the heads or brains of peacocks to be served. By 

 degrees, however, they spread throughout the empire, and thus the 

 Peacock has become naturalised in Europe. During several centuries, 

 its exquisite and delicate flesh was in very great favour; but the 

 importation of the Pheasant, and later that of the Turkey, introduced 

 rivals who have taken precedence for table honours. The Peacock is 

 now bred principally for ornamental purposes ; even when it does, 

 make its appearance at some ceremonious repast, it is intended more; 

 to gratify the eye than the palate, for the carcase is invariably deco-, 

 rated with the bird's resplendent tail. The Domestic Peacock, which, 

 is now the pride of our gardens and parks, is indigenous to India and 

 the isles of the Eastern Archipelago, where they still live in large 

 troops in the depths of the forests. They are so abundant in localities 

 that it is said the traveller, Colonel Williamson, being delayed one. 

 day in the district of Jungleterry, counted not less than from 1,200 

 to 1,500. The Peacock runs with such rapidity that it often escapes 

 pursuit by this means alone ; it takes wing with difficulty, and flies 

 slowly, though it can prolong its flight to a considerable distance. 

 It feeds upon grain of all kinds, which it swallows without crushing. 

 To roost for the night, it perches upon the limbs of the highest trees. 

 In a state of domesticity it retains this fancy for elevated places, so 

 takes pleasure in perching on the roofs of houses, even on the sum- 

 mits of chimneys. Elevation appears to excite it, and to endow it 

 with a spirit of vindictiveness and destruction, for when in such 

 situations it will scatter tiles, or tear up thatch, as the case may be, 

 doing frequently incalculable damage. This bird also commits great 

 ravages in cultivated fields. The Peacock at times utters deafening 

 cries, which contrast unpleasantly with its dazzling plumage — one 

 wishes for a more harmonious voice from such a magnificent body. 

 It is polygamous. At the commencement of the spring the male 

 displays to the females all the splendour of his plumage; struts, 

 spreads his tail, glories in his own grandeur, and receives with 

 pleasure the admiration which his charms draw forth. His vanity at 

 that season knows no bounds ; for the adulation of his wives is not 

 sufficient for him, but he must have eulogiums from man. Complete 

 master in the art of showing itself, it manages the transitions of light 

 and shade so as to be presented to the greatest advantage. At the 

 end of August this beautiful plumage falls off, not to come forth 

 again till the spring. It is said that the Peacock is so ashamed oi 

 having lost that which was his pride, that he afterwards shuns the 

 sight of man. This is better explained by the fact that the time of 

 moulting is for it, as for all other birds, a period of sickness ; conse- 



