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May 09, 2004
Pretty Polly?
According to the Expat.Telegraph, a large flock of Peacocks (and presumably Peahens!) has descended on the village of Cookley and are terrorising the inhabitants. It may sound funny today, but our forebears kept the infernal birds for two reasons - they make darned good eating if you have an oven big enough - and they are even better than a watchdog for guarding your property.
They may look very pretty, but they also have the equipment to be damned dangerous if they are defending themselves, and are certainly big enough not to scare easily. A few years ago I was living in a small house with a very small garden and one landed in this. The garden was so small and the fence so high he could not get out again as he could not get airborn. The local tomcat who was a pretty cocky blighter, took one look and decamped. The Peacock eventually found a gap and got out, flew up onto our roof and spent several hours yelling raucously from there. Calls to several parks and estates all drew the same response - "Peacock sir? Not ours! No, we don't want one either, thank you for calling ...."
I note from the report that a Fransican Monastery near me has indicated that they would take them - but someone else please catch them - and an Arboretum has made a similar offer.
I think Cookley will find they have two choices. Get in the catchers, or get in the guns and have a feast.
Posted by The Gray Monk at May 9, 2004 10:19 AM
Comments
We live in the street mentioned in the Telegraph and I think (especially after the article on the Richard and Judy thing) that folks must think we are all bonkers. However, it is just a few residents who are against these lovely birds, there are more in the street who enjoy seeing them on their gardens. They are not the monsters as portrayed and have never been aggressive to me or my family. Even our cat Phil has been spragged out on the lawn and one of the big boys have sat down within a couple of feet of him and both have been fast asleep. Granted, the poo is of a larger variety than the common or garden sparrow but I am sure it does the gardens good!
Posted by: Jan at May 12, 2004 08:33 AM
Good to hear someone speaking up for the "invaders" - I must say that they are beautiful creatures.
Posted by: The Gray Monk at May 12, 2004 11:46 AM