530 
The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 
abounds in the thick covert afforded by the woods of the Ghauts, and Colonel Sykes states that 
large flocks are kept attached to many Hindoo temples in the Deccan. On examining these, and 
also specimens shot wild, he found them identical with our common domestic bird in every respect. 
In some parts of India peacock-shooting is a recognised sport ; while in others, and in some 
parts of Ceylon, the birds are so plentiful as to be cared little about. Thus Sir Emerson Tennant 
writes that, “ in Ceylon, as we emerge from the deep shade and approach the park-like openings on 
the verge of the low country, numbers of pea-fowl are to be found, either feeding on the seeds and 
fallen nuts among the long grass, or sunning themselves on the branches of the surrounding trees. 
Nothing to be met with in English demesnes can give an adequate idea of the size and magnifi- 
cence of this matchless bird when seen in its native solitudes. Here he generally selects some 
projecting branch, from which his plumage may hang free of the foliage; and if there be a dead 
and leafless bough he is certain to choose it for his resting-place, whence he droops his wings and 
spreads his gorgeous train in the morning sun to drive off the damps and dews of night. In some 
of the unfrequented portions of the eastern province, to which Europeans rarely resort, and where 
the pea-fowl are unmolested by the natives, their number is so extraordinary that, regarded as 
game, it cei.ses to be sport to destroy them; and their cries at early dawn are so tumultuous and 
incessant as to banish sleep and amount to an actual inconvenience.” Colonel Williamson has 
described peacock-shooting in India itself in somewhat similar terms. “About the passes in the 
Jungleterry districts,” he writes, “I have seen such quantities of pea-fowl as have absolutely 
surprised me. Whole woods were covered with their beautiful plumage, to which a rising sun 
imparted additional brilliancy. The small patches of plain among the long grass, most of them 
cultivated, and with mustard then in bloom, which induced the birds to feed, added beauty to the 
scene ; and I speak within bounds when I assert that there could not be less than twelve or fifteen 
hundred pea-fowl of various sizes within sight of the spot where I stood for nearly an hour.” He 
says it is easy enough to get a shot in the jungle, but when the birds flocked together to the 
number of forty or fifty it was more difficult, as they run very fast, and prefer this method of 
escape to taking wing. He doubts, in fact, if a slow dog could raise them at all. He says they 
fly heavily, and generally give an easy shot when once raised ; but if only winged will speedily 
recover themselves, and in nine cases out of ten escape on foot, owing to their swiftness. He 
also mentions the curious fact that wherever peacocks abound the tiger is generally found also 
more near than convenient, so that peacock-shooting is by no means devoid of danger. 
THE JAPANESE PEACOCK, called also Pavo muticus (from its having been erroneously 
supposed by Aldrovandus to be destitute of spurs), differs considerably in colour and some other 
points from the ordinary bird. The crest on the head is nearly twice as long, and the feathers of 
which it is composed are also webbed or barbed from their bases, instead of only at the tips. The 
colour of the neck is a glossy green, margined or laced with coppery gold, and arranged not as 
ordinary neck-feathers in most birds, but like the scales of a fish. The metallic gloss is extra- 
ordinary, and far superior to that on the other variety. On the back, which is a rich copper- 
bronze marked with bars of green and light brown, this lustre is still more conspicuous. The 
shoulder-coverts resemble those of the common bird, but show a deeper and more intense blue ; 
the tail-coverts or train are rich green, barred across, or shot with gold and copper-bronze reflections. 
In the breeding season, which commences about March, these barred feathers are replaced by other 
ocellated plumes, resembling those of the Common Peacock, but with more bronze in the metallic 
lustre. The hen is sober in colour, much resembling the preceding variety. 
This variety of peacock inhabits Burmah, Siam, Java, Sumatra, &c. ; but is believed not to 
