PIGEONS, DOVES, BITTERN'S, ETC. 345 



The wild pigeon is a favorite practising target with 

 white and red archers, as its rapid flight thoroughly tests 

 the accuracy of their aim, the strength of their bows, and 

 the feathering of their arrows. Some of the shots which 

 these men make would cause European bowmen to open 

 their eyes, and mouths too, with astonishment, and to 

 think very little of their own prowess, when they see 

 birds going at full speed brought down by a short hunt- 

 ing arrow and a comparatively light bow. 



The colors of an adult pigeon are dull bluish-gray 

 above, and purplish-red below, whitening on the cris- 

 sum; the sides of the neck are golden, with purplish 

 reflections; some of the wing-coverts are black-spotted; 

 the tail is cuneate, the middle feathers being bluish- 

 black, and the others ashy or whitish. The bird has a 

 length of seventeen inches. 



The band-tailed pigeon {Colmnha fasciata) is shot occa- 

 sionally, but it is not much sought for, even by pot-hunt- 

 ers, although its flesh is quite palatable. 



The Carolina dove {Zenadura cariolensis) is seldom 

 killed for food by whites, owing to its small size, though 

 hungry Indians are glad to get it. 



The bittern, or bog-bull {Botaurus minor), which is 

 frequently shot for the table, may be readily recognized 

 by its form. It is of a duU-brow^n color, speckled and 

 streaked with buff and white above; the chin and throat 

 line are white; and there is a black spot on each side of 

 the neck. The bill is yellow at the base and dark at the 

 tip; and the legs are greenish. This bird is so slow in 

 flight that it can be easily bagged. A smaller species 

 than this, called the least bittern, is considered quite a 

 delicacy by some of the Indians. 



Cranes and herons are also shot occasionally, as their 

 flesh is excellent, especially when it is a little high. They 

 fight bravely Avhen wounded, and, as their bills are sharp, 

 persons ought to be careful in approaching them. 



