"At first, the peacock, with his gorgeous train, demands our attention; but, like most of the gaudy birds, his notes are grating and shocking to the ear: the yelling of cats, and the braying of an ass, are not more disgustful." Letter XLIII. Sept 9, 1778. The Natural History of Selborne . My friend living on Oakland hills in a neighborhood with yard-raised peafowl would absolutely agree with this description by Gilbert White . After celebrating Henry David Thoreau's 200th birthday several days ago , I want to mark another occasion today: the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's death. Austen didn't mention birds much in her novels other than game birds for hunting and partridge for table. Yet Pride and Prejudice has been associated with the bird peacock because of beautiful cover designs . Jane Austen lived only a few miles from Selborne--there goes the connection to Gilbert White; therefore the peacock quote. That peacock graces Austen's book cove...