Peacocks

Have you ever heard a peacock? We've been hearing the most unearthly bird sound since it's been warm enough to have the windows open. It sounds prehistoric, like the daughter of archeopteryx or something. Well, I came home from driving everyone to school and work a couple days ago, and nearly hit it--it was a peacock! Here's a YouTube video that is a good example (only the sound quality I'm hearing out my window is a lot better!)

I have to say, it's a lot better than some birds I've heard. There was one popular as a pet a few years ago that sounded like someone getting stabbed; the first time I was visiting someone and heard it I wondered if we should maybe call the police...? But it was only their neighbor's bird.

Still, every time I hear that peacock, I can't help thinking of Harry Potter. I just started reading The Deathly Hallows to my daughter, who is finally old enough to appreciate it and wanted her own private reading, and so I keep thinking of that line in chapter 1:

"He always did himself well, Lucius. Peacocks..." Yaxley thrust his wand back under his cloak with a snort.

And then I feel all posh (but a little scared, too)--because we live in the Malfoys' neighborhood!