Musings: Fowls left to prowl grounds
Children pet feathers on a peacock outside the Milleridge in Jericho in May. Credit: Newsday/James Carbone
On a lovely summer afternoon, I was strolling through the Milleridge Inn complex in Jericho. Suddenly, I noticed what appeared to be fairly vacant buildings. I’m not sure why, but these structures gave me what could best be called a “ghost town” vibe. I admit that I found it upsetting.
What I found most alarming was seeing, of all things, small peacocks, officially known as peachicks, meandering aimlessly through the area. I could hear their high-pitched squeaks along with the haunting wails of the bigger parental peacocks.
An employee told me that the peachicks were commonly seen on the property.
A look at the inn’s website revealed that the restaurant is known for its flock of roughly 100 peacocks roaming free year-round. They have lived on the property for decades, even though they are not officially owned by the venue.
I wonder if someday a rescuer might step in and relocate them to a sanctuary.
— Eileen Scanlon, Westbury
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