Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1885-10-16

As ~e could never pass by the farm
yard when this domesticated bird was
spreading his pumage without STOP
ping to admire, we must not now en-
tirely neglect HIM.
| There are four species of the Pea.
cock known. Two OF these are found
is Asia, one in Africa and one in
China. The domesticated which ale
found in Europe and America came
originally from Asia. They are all
birds of large size and great beauty.
The crested Peacock measures
about five feet, including BODY and
train. The body is only foot and
half long while the train Is three feet
and half long-mo,e "sail than bal
last" Common produce would require
that this bird keep near the narbor in
stormy weather.
Its head is very small, but plumed
and crested; the neck is long and
small, tapering most gracefully from
the breast upward: the wings are short
and rounded, with the sixth quill the
longest, the tail is composed of eigh
teen feathers, long and rounded,
which in the males are concealed by
tie greatly heightened coverts. This
magnificent bird is elegant In form,
graceful in movement, and is plumage
resplendent with tints otgreen, golden,
bronze and blue; the long tail ooverts,
which the mail can spread like a fan,
are beautiful beyond description with
their metallic iridescent hues, white
shafts, velvet black center, and brilliant
terminal eye-spots. Every one mus.
have seen it display itself ID public or
in private parks. And the wild Pea
cock is said to be even more brilliant
than the domesticated.
Griffith says of these birds: ave
find in their incompatible robe all that
Cutters in the rainbow and sparkles
IN the mine-the azure tints of heaven
and the emerald of The fields" Some
are more or less variegated, and &C.
casionaly one is found entirely white.
They are about The size of the turkey.
Their flight is low and heavy, and they
lay from twelve TO twenty eggs and
raise only one brood per anum.
But the Peacock has defects as well
as attractive beauties. When We have
seen his elegant plumage we are dis
, appointed to hear nothing but the un-
, pleasant and even shocking scream Of
his voice HIS legs are black and So
ugly that he is said to be disguised OF
them himself He IS voracious eater,
and devours plants. seeds and insects
without distinction. In the nelghbor.
hood of gardens and planted fields he
, is an intolerable nuisance. So dis
D gushing are his habits and bad his con.
e duct that he finds but one COM
: panion, the turkey, in the farm-yard.
We trace the history of Peacocks
j back as far as the days of Solmon
e They were imported from the East in
0 order to crafty the taste of that mon
D arch for the beautiful in nature. Oice
S in three years came the navy from
/ Tarstlsh, bringing gold and silver,
|. ivory, apes, and Peacocks.
e In the days of luxury and exrava'
S gance among the Romans, Peacocks
were held In the highest estimation a:
n an article of food. The person who
). first ordered them to be served at hi:
o table became quite distinguished The
/. practice soon became fashionable
d among the great men of Rome, which
!, made the bird very valuable in the
e market and placed 1t beyond the reach
l. of the common people.
lie There was time when in Greece a
At pair OF Peacocks cost more than $Io-
S of Our money.
The Peacock is indeed beautiful
:. bird, but it must not be forgotten thai
81 beauty covers many detects.
= The Peacock is fond of display and
l. admiration, like the votary of fashion
. and folly, who seeks her enjoyment ii
=. the public streets or giddy throng, but
u !, we should remember that this birc
u wears more stars on its spangled train
{ than II carries brains in its head.
c Here again we should learn lessor
OF wisdom from the animal kingdom
~ How descriptive often are externa
= Observation-Disclosures Farmer"