P L A T E XXVI.
PEACOCK SHOOTING.
A n OUT llie passes in lIic Jniiglciern/ illslrict, especially near Terriagulhj, I have
seen siicli <pianlilies of pea-fowls, as have absolutely surprised me ! Whole woods
%vcrc covered willi llicir bcaiiLiful plumage, lo which a rising sun imparted
addiLioiial brilliancy! Tlio small pulchcs of plain among Llie long grass, mosL of
Lb cm cullivaled, and with mustafd llicn in bloom, which induced the birds to
feed, increased the beauty of ihe scene! And I speak witliin bounds wljen I
assert, ihaL ihcre conld not be less than twelve or fifleen hundred pea-fowls, of
various sizes, wilhin sigiit of the spot where 1 stood for near an hour. Quite
iiiscinnted with ihe grand display, 1 refrained from disturbing them. I have
frequcnily seen ^rcat numbers assembled, or within my view from some eminence,
but nothing lo comparc lo what I witnessed at ihe Terriagullij pass,
where one mighl have ibought all the peacocks williiu fifty miles had assembled
by connuon consenl. When ihey are in numbers scattered in a jungle, il is easy
lo get a shot: bul I have ahvuys found much dilliculty when the l)irds ilock
logclher; as they frequently do lo the amount of forty or fifty, when they arc
extremely shy. At such times il is not easy to raise ihem: they run remarkably
fast, and I doubt whclher a heavy spaniel or pointer could calch one.
When on the w^ing they ily very heavy and strong, generally wilhin an easy
s h o t ; il may be rcasonaldy supposed ihat ibey fall very heavy, bul if only
winged, they speedily rccovcr, and if not closely pursued, will nine limes in ten
disappear. When ihe pccpu! berries, or figs, are in season, their ilesh is rather
bitter, but when they have led awhile among corn fields, they become remarkably
sweet and juicy. This is lo be understood of the young birds, which make
excellent roasLcrs. The older birds are sometime.s pul lo llie spit, but are by
no means so good as when the breasts are made into cutlets, and the re.sidne
boiled down into a rich soup. 1 have always thought such peacocks as frequented
ihc mustiird fields, afler the pods wore formed, lo ))c very superior.
Mustard is cullivalcd throughout India in very large quantities. The oil is used
l)oth for burning, and for culinary purposes in lieu oighee, especially for frying
fish; and the cake is given lo cattle, wliicli llirive amazingly on il, bul ihcirfat
becomes extremely veliow. A kind of wikl rice grows in many parts of tlie
country, especially in swampy lands; the grain is very small, but sweet, and is
much relished by every kind of game.
Wilh regard to the peacock itself, there is little occasion to enter into any
minute description; suffice it to say, that the only species I ever saw or beard of
in India, is the blue necked sort, common in all ihc menageries. They abound
chiefly in close wooded parls, particularly wher e ther e is an exleut of long grass
for ihem to range in. They are very thirsty birds, and will remain only where
i h e y can have easy access to waler. Rhur plantations are their favourite
shelter, being close above, so as lo keep oiT the solar ray, and open at ihe bottom
sufliciently lo admit a free passage for the air. If there be trees near .such
spoks, the peacocks may be seen mount ing into them eveiy evening towards dusk
to roost; and in which they generally continue till the sun rises, when they
descend Lo feed, and pass the mid-day in the heavy covers. They are very
jealous of all quadrupeds, especially of dogs; no doubt, from finding the jackal,
and probably the liger, lo be such inveterate enemies. When peacocks are discovered
in a tree situate on a plain, if a dog be loose and hunt near it, the bird
will rarely move from its situation ; though it will probably shew extreme uneasiness.
In such (tase it is easy to get a good sliol.
But the most certain mode of killing one or two birds, is by stealing under
t h e trees at nighl: if there be a clear moon, so much the better. In this way,
b y looking up among the foliage, the peacocks may be readily distinguished.
Where ihey arc very numerous, and only one bird is wanted, as certain a mode
as any is to lie in wail behind a bush near their ieeding haunts. Bul. without
the most perfect silence this will not succeed. Tbey arc strong birds, and
rc([uire a smart gun lo take proper elTect, unless williin twenty-five or ihirty
yards. The best .size is No. 4, patent shot; and wilh that size il is best lo aitn
under ihe wing, if the position of the bird favour such an intention; olherwise,
and more especially if the shot be smaller than the size above ineiitioned, it is
best lo aim at the head.
June.a'iieOS.WEd-^' Orm. Prinl.^L« « Ha M^.te