157 



BROAD OR FAN-TAILED SHAKER. 



Columba var. tremula latecauda WILL. 



PLATE XIII. 



Pigeon paon, Buff. PI. Enl. 13 Pigeon trembleur paon, 

 Boitard et Corbie, Monographie des Pig. Domes, p. 224. 

 Broad-tailed Shaker, Will. Orn. p. 181. 



THIS curious variety, remarkable for the number 

 of its tail-feathers, which, in some individuals, have 

 been known to amount to upwards of forty, possesses, 

 at the same time, the power of erecting it in the 

 manner of a turkey cock, during which action, and 

 particularly when paying court to its mate, it trem- 

 bles or shakes, like the peacock when moving about 

 with his train expanded and in full display. Tins 

 power of spreading and erecting the tail is not, how- 

 ever, confined to the male bird, but is possessed to 

 an equal extent by the female, who resembles the 

 male in every respect. In size it is inferior to most 

 of the varieties, and is farther characterized by hav- 

 ing a short, slender bill, pendant wings, and naked 

 legs and feet. It is not very prolific, and seldom 

 succeeds so well in the aviary or pigeon-house as 

 most of the other kinds ; and, from the size and 

 position of fts unwieldy tail, flies awkwardly, and 



