130 
NATURAL HISTORY' 
PEACOCK. 
The Peacock is undoubtedly the most 
beautiful of all birds; and when his train is 
fully expanded, it is scarcely possible to 
figure to the mind any animal of production 
more magnificent. Like other birds of the 
poultry kind, the Peacock feeds upon corn; 
but there is scarcely any food which at 
times it will not covet and pursue. In the 
indulgence of these capricious pursuits, high 
walls will not confine it : it strips the tops 
of houses of their tiles or thatch, it lays 
Waste the labours of the gardener, roots up 
his choicest seeds, and nips his favourite 
flowers in the bud. Thus its beauty but 
ill recompenses for the mischief it does ; and 
many of the more mean looking fowls ars 
very deservedly preferred before it. 
