NATURAL HISTORY. 
-1 26 
them up in their plumage, by way of orna- 
ment, not as a dainty. 
To defcribe the peacock as concifely as 
poflible,' we have only to obferve, that the 
head, neck, and beginning of the breaft, 
are of a deep fliining blue : on the crown, is 
a tuft of green feathers ; and the tail, w'hich 
may be faid to vie in fplendour with the 
rainbow, (the colours being fo beautifully 
intermixed ) they difplay with all the feem- 
ing vanity, of a conceited beauty. The gold, 
chefnut, green, and blue of the eyes, are fo 
happily difpofed, that they form the fineft 
harmony, and moft beautiful contrail of co- 
lour that can poffibly be conceived. The 
bird himlelf is fo fenlible of this fuperiority 
of plumage, which certainly exceeds every 
thing of the kind in nature’s works, that he 
is never fo proud as when he exhibits this 
unrivalled work of the Divine Artift, to 
whom he is indebted for his form and exift- 
cnce. 
rhe PHEASANT. 
H E plumage of this bird is fo beauti- 
ful, that many efteem it next in rank to the 
peacock. Croefus, king of Lydia, when 
feated on hts throne, arrayed in all the fplen- 
dor of the Eaft, aflced Solon, if he had ever 
feen any thing fo finei’ To which tlie philo- 
Ibpher 
