1G2 POWTER OR CROPPER PIGEON. 



with the head thrown far back, which prevents if 

 from seeing any thing directly before it, and causes 

 it to become an easy prey to the hawk or other ene- 

 mies. It is also unable, in consequence of this con- 

 strained attitude, to defend itself from the attacks of 

 other pigeons, who, by a single stroke of the bill, 

 frequently pierce the inflated craw, and give it a mor- 

 tal wound. But in addition to accidents from exter- 

 nal enemies, it is also liable to a disease in this part, 

 which generally proves fatal in the course of a few 

 days. This always attacks them when they happen 

 to have a young brood, and is produced by the re- 

 iterated and severe efforts they are obliged to make, 

 in order to bring or cast up the partially digested 

 food necessary for their support. For by those oft 

 repeated and violent attempts, the muscles of the 

 esophagus or craw, weakened in all probability be- 

 forehand by the constant inflation of t/ie parts, oe- 

 come paralyzed and lose their power of contraction ; 

 and the crop being no longer able to discharge its 

 proper digestive functions, inflammation ensues, 

 which is rapidly succeeded by ulceration, and a pe- 

 riod is soon put to the life of the bird. On this ac- 

 count, added to its unproductiveness, it holds but a 

 secondary place in the estimation of the amateur, al- 

 though, in point of appearance, it is as singular, and 

 in regard to beauty and diversity of plumage, equal 

 to any of the other races. 



It is found of all the various colours incident to 

 domestic pigeons, though the reddish-brown is per- 



