The Descent of Man

ming these antics the males begin to fight: and
the same black-cock, in order to prove his
strength over several antagonists, will visit in
the course of one morning several Balz-places,
which remain the same during successive
years. (14. Brehm, 'Thierleben,' 1867, B. iv. s.
351. Some of the foregoing statements are taken
from L. Lloyd, 'The Game Birds of Sweden,'
etc., 1867, p. 79.)
The peacock with his long train appears more
like a dandy than a warrior, but he sometimes
engages in fierce contests: the Rev. W. Darwin
Fox informs me that at some little distance from
Chester two peacocks became so excited whilst
fighting, that they flew over the whole city, still
engaged, until they alighted on the top of St.
John's tower.
The spur, in those gallinaceous birds which are
thus provided, is generally single; but Polyplectron
(Fig. 51) has two or more on each leg; and
one of the Blood-pheasants (Ithaginis cruentus)