Reptiles and birds - a popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting (1869) (14748827865)

Identifier: reptilesbirdspop00figu (find matches)
Title: Reptiles and birds : a popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting
Year: 1869 (1860s)
Authors: Figuier, Louis, 1819-1894 Gillmore, Parker
Subjects: Birds Reptiles
Publisher: Springfield, Mass. : W.J. Holland
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries



Text Appearing Before Image:
; but what animal possesses all perfec-tions ? It is polygamous. At the commencement of the springthe male displays to the females all the splendour of his plumage;he struts, spreads his tail, delights at the sight of his own figure,and receives with pleasure the admiration which his charms drawforth. His vanity knows no bounds ; the adulation of his femalesis not sufficient for him, he must have eulogiums from man also, PEACOCKS. 443 and before him rejoices to display all the rielies of liis wonderfultail. Complete master in the art of pleasing, he knows how tomanage the transitions of light and shade so as to present him-self to the greatest advantage; and when he has been gazed at
Text Appearing After Image:
Fig. 178.—Domestic Peacock (ravo crutatus, Wood). sufficiently, by reiterated struts he marks his contentment. At theend of August his beautiful plumage falls off, not to come forthagain till the spring. It is said that the Peacock is so ashamed ofhaving lost that which was his pride, that he then shuns the sight of 444 GALLINACEOUS BIEDS. mau. This is better explained by the fact that the time of moult-ing is for this, as for all other birds, a period of sickness; they consequently retire into solitude, to find there the calm and tran-quillity which their critical state demands. The Wild Peahen laysfrom twenty to thirty eggs in a hole hollowed out in the ground. She is much less fruitful in the Domestic state. She takes the greatest care to hide her nest from the searching eye of the male, which breaks the eggs whenever he finds them. Incubation lasts from twenty-seven to thirty days. The young follow their mother from their birth ; at six months they are reputed adult, and attain their f