The cry of 'maeyoe' 'maeyoe' repeated loudly is heard in this shrub jungle. Very often you come across them on the roadway. If disturbed near a nest they will launch an attack and will try to peck out the eyes of a threatening human being. The Dutch loved their meat and slaughtered them by the hundreds. The Shah of Persia of an earlier era slaughtered a thousand of them to collect their feathers, to decorate the throne of a thousand year dynasty. The lard from their flesh is applied on the skin in the belief that it will promote bone healing in a fracture.
The pea-cock is the 'Vaahana' - vehicle of Lord Skanda and hence is not harmed by the local population. It is by law a protected animal in Sri Lanka.
