148 
THE PEACOCK. 
by the army of Alexander, who felt such admiration 
for it, as to order the infliction of a severe penalty 
upon its destroyers. Hence it found its way to 
Greece, and Rome, and Europe generally, and had 
to perform its part in the luxurious entertainments 
of the ancients, while it was thought worthy of be- 
ing dedicated to the royal Juno, and of being band- 
ed down to posterity upon the coinage of the coun- 
tries. At an early period of English history, when 
the baronial entertainments were characterized by 
grandeur and pompous ceremonies, approaching near- 
ly to the magnificence of royalty, there was scarcely 
any noble feast without “ pecokkes," which were 
stuffed with spices and sweet herbs, roasted and 
served up whole, and covered, after dressing, with 
the skin and feathers. In our own times, both the 
young and the eggs are often seen at the tables of 
the opulent. They are also reared as picturesque 
accessaries for the park or lawn, in which they will 
breed and rear their young without assistance, and 
with a little attention only during winter. In 
their native countries, superb dresses and shades are 
made of the skins and train, and, adorned with pre- 
cious stones, form a fitting accompaniment to the 
magnificence and show of Eastern manners. 
Peacock-shooting is a favourite amusement in In- 
dia, where, in some parts, they are extremely abun- 
dant. “ About the passes in the Jungletery district,” 
says Colonel Williamson, “ I have seen such quan- 
tities of pea-fowls as have absolutely surprised me. 
