CRESTED PEACOCK. 



147 



When pleased or delighted the male expands 

 his gaudy train, and displays all the majesty of his 

 beauty, stretching and turning slowly about, as if 

 to catch every gleam of light to produce new and 

 inconceivable hues of splendid colours. By a 

 Strong muscular vibration, he can make the shafts 

 of his long feathers clatter in an extraordinary 

 manner. 



In this country Peacocks are unable to fly much, 

 but they are fond of climbing, and commonly pass 

 the night upon the roofs of houses, where they do 

 considerable mischief, or upon the higiiest trees, 

 and from these situations it is that they utter their 

 harsh and discordant cry, which is a perfect con- 

 trast to their brilliant plumage. 



During the period of the Romans they were 

 highly esteemed for the table, but at present only 

 the young are considered of any importance, as 

 the flesh is very hard and dry. Hortensius was 

 the first person who ordered them to be served up 

 at his table. 



