New York Zoological Society. 
INDIAN PEAFOWL (Pavo cristatus). Length: 3 !/£> feet. Range: India and Ceylon. 
These birds are regarded with superstitious reverence by the Hindus, and 
are permitted by them to go about unmolested. The decorative males are kept in 
parks and on private estates all over the world. Alexander the Great is reputed 
to have brought the first peafowl to Europe. These birds were exhibited for an 
admission fee in ancient Athens. 
The wild birds are hunted throughout India for their tail feathers, 
and the flesh of the chicks has long been considered a delicacy. Peacock 
wings were served at Trimalchio’s banquet, celebrated by Petronius. Dur¬ 
ing the Middle Ages one of the most solemn oaths was sworn “on the pea¬ 
cock.” For this occasion the bird was served up at table, garnished with 
its own plumage. 
Clifford Sutcliffe, Federal Writers’ Project. 
WHITE PEACOCK. This 
albinistic phase of the 
Indian peafowl although 
startling is by no means 
rare. It is the result of 
domestication. Another 
breed, produced in cap¬ 
tivity, is called the Jap¬ 
anese peacock. Its prin¬ 
cipal color is blue. Two 
other species of peafowl 
are known, one from 
Burma and Java, the 
other from the Belgian 
Congo. The African 
species was discovered 
and described by Dr. 
James P. Chapin. 
