PEAFOWL 
Because of its strutting gait and brilliant plumage, the male peafowl, or 
peacock, has become a symbol of pride and vanity, though in reality it is 
no more vain than any other male bird. The most characteristic features of 
the male are his small head of dark, metallic green color, and his great 
fan-like train, which sometimes attains a length of five feet or more. The 
tail is dark brown and not over-sized, but attached to it is a bronze-green 
train of long feathers, each bearing a deep blue “eye” surrounded by 
four rings of iridescent blue-green, gold-bronze, gold and brown. The male 
does not achieve his full plumage until his third year. His mate, like many 
female birds, lacks the ornamental tail and is a dull brown color. 
Many tribes of India and Ceylon regard the peacock as sacred and 
prohibit its slaughter. The bird is easily domesticated, frequently lives 
more than thirty years, and adorns many private gardens where, in addition 
to being beautiful, it is useful in killing snakes and insects. It also eats 
grain, berries, small birds and frogs. 
Wild peafowl inhabit nearly the whole of India, ranging up to a height 
of five thousand feet in the Himalayas. In regions where they are wild they 
make their nests in the dense undergrowth near a stream. They issue from 
the jungle into the open fields at evening and morning to feed, and return 
to the jungle during the heat of the day. At night they roost in tall trees. 
Peacocks fly well, though they must run swiftly in order to take off. How- 
ever, they rely chiefly upon their strong legs to escape from hunters, jackals 
and wildcats. Despite their heavy trains they are able to run through the 
jungle at a high speed. In localities where they are protected they lose 
their timidity and breed in the long grass or shrubbery near villages. 
Peacocks are polygamous, and except when the hens are sitting, they 
are seen in family groups of four to eight. In spring, the courting season, 
the males strut about before the females, displaying their multi-colored 
charms. Peafowls build their nests on the ground or in hollows of large 
trees. Each female lays from four to six eggs, varying in color from pale 
cream to warm buff. 
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