236 



THE NICOBAR PIGEON. 



By tlie Europeans tliey are generally caught in nets extended on 

 the ground ; to which they are allured by tame Pigeons of their own 



species, that are blinded, 

 and fastened to a long 

 string. The short flights 

 and repeated calls of the 

 shackled birds, never fail 

 either to excite theii 

 curiosity, or bring soDie 

 of them down to attempt 

 their relief; when they 

 are immediately enclosed. 

 Every farmer has a 

 tamed Pigeon in a cage 

 at his door all the year 

 round, to be ready 

 against the season of 

 their flight. 



M. du Pratz, when he 

 was in America, placed under the roosting trees of these Pigeons, 

 vessels filled with flaming sulphur, the fumes of which brought them 

 to the ground in immense numbers. 



i-^/^'-^-s^ 



PASSENGER PIGEON. 



THE NICOBAR PIGEON. 



This splendid bird, is a native of Java, Nicobar, Sumatra, and many 



of the Moluccas. 

 It is, as far as we 

 have been enabled 

 to determine, 

 terrestrial in its 

 habits. Its plum 

 age is exceedingly 

 refulgent; the 

 head is of a dull 

 slate color, with a 

 tinge of purple : 

 long flowing 

 pointed feathers 

 ornament the 

 neck, like tho 

 h a c k 1 e s 'of the 

 domestic cock, of 

 a rich green with 

 coppery reflec* 

 tions ; the coverts of the wings are also pointed. The whole of the 

 upper portion of the body is bronze with steel-blue reflections ou 

 glossy green ; the under portion is similar, only less brilliant. The 

 toil is pure white. 



THE NICOBAR PIGEON 



