128 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
beauty of its colours. On its head is a tuft of twenty- 
four feathers, having webs only at the ends, painted 
with the finest green, mixed with gold ; the head, 
neck and breast are of a deep-blue, glossed with 
green and gold ; the belly is black, with a greenish 
hue. 
47. Its train, which is the most beautiful part, 
rises just above its tail, and, when erected, forms a 
fan of most resplendent hues. The two middle 
feathers are sometimes four and a half feet long. 
The cry of the Peacock is loud and very discordant, 
and is as much inferior in melody, as its plumage is 
superior in beauty. 
48. The Peahen is somewhat less than the cock, 
and its train and crest are destitute of those dazzling 
beauties which distinguish the male. It lays five or 
six eggs, of a whitish colour. 
THE TURKEY. 
49. Turkeys appear to have been first found in 
North America, and were introduced into England 
in the reign of Henry VIII. They soon became a 
favourite dish at the English Christmas feasts. In 
Describe the Peacock. What is said of the Peahen ? 
Where were Turkeys first found 1 When ware they introduced 
into England 1 
