62 
THE PEACOCK. 
of varying colours, ending in a flat vane, which 
is decorated with what is called the eye. The 
real tail consists of short, stiff, brown feathers, 
which serve as a support to the train. When 
pleased or delighted, and in sight of his fe- 
males, the Peacock erects his train, and dis- 
plays all the majesty of his beauty ; all his 
movements are full of dignity; his head and 
neck bend nobly back; his pace is slow and 
solemn, and he frequently turns slowly and 
gracefully round, as if to catch the sunbeams 
in every direction, and produce new colours of 
inconceivable richness and beauty, accompa- 
nied at the same time with a hollow murmuring 
voice expressive of desire. The cry of the 
Peacock, at other times, is often repeated and 
very disagreeable. The plumes are shed every 
year, and, while moulting them, the bird, as if 
humiliated, retires from view. 
The Peahen is somewhat less than the male, 
and though furnished both with a train and 
crest, is destitute of those dazzling beauties 
which distinguish her consort. 
