‘ THE NATURAL HISTORY 
They feed upon grain and infects, like other 
gallinaceous birds ; the flower or bloflom of the 
elder-tree is poifonous to them, and it is faid that 
the {ting of the nettle, and the leaves of the fox- 
glove will kill the young ones. 
In different climates, Pea-fow! lay different 
numbers of eggs; in England but five or fix, of 
a greyith white, about the fize of Turkey's egg, 
and only once in the year. Whilft the Peaben 
lays, fhe endeavours to conceal her neft from the 
Peacock, who (it is faid) will fometimes break 
the eggs; but whether he breaks them on pur- 
pole, or only in trying to fit upon them, is not 
certain. 
The Peahen fits twenty-feven or thirty days, 
more or lefs, according to the coolnefs or the 
heat of the climate or feafon. She is very fby, 
and if the be much obferved, or difturbed, the 
will forfake her eggs. 
The little ones, when firft hatched, are fed 
with barley meal, cheefe curds, and chopped 
leeks ; afterwards they will eat barley; but as 
they feed much upon infects, like young Turkeys, 
they generally do beft when they are moftly left 
to the care of their parents. For fome time they 
let their wings bang, and do not know how to ufe 
them; the mother carries them upon her back 
every 

