CHAP, iv.] CROPPEKS THEIR CARRIAGE. 121 



they are called Croppers, which is not a vulgarism, but 

 an old form of speech. 



" Croppers, so called because they can, and usually do, 

 by attracting the Air, blow up their Crops to that strange 

 bigness that they exceed the bulk of the whole body 

 beside ; and which, as they fly, and while they make that 

 murmuring noise, swell their throats to a great bigness, 

 and the bigger, the better and more generous they are 

 esteemed/' * 



The hen Cropper also has an inflated crop like the 

 male ; the same in kind, though less in degree. When 

 zealous fanciers want to form an opinion of the merits 

 of a Cropper Pigeon, they inflate the crop by applying 

 the bird's mouth to their own, and blowing into it, ex- 

 actly as if they were filling a bladder with air, till it is 

 extended to the very utmost. Nor does the patient 

 seem in the least to dislike the operation ; but the con- 

 trary; and when set upon its legs choke-full of wind, it 

 will endeavour to retain the charge as tightly as it can, 

 and appears actually to be pleased with, and proud of, 

 the enormity of the natural balloon which it carries 

 about with it. The only analogous case I am acquainted 

 with is the fish which blows itself out with air, and then 

 floats on the surface of the sea, belly upwards. 



I cannot agree with those who think the gait and 

 appearance of Cropper Pigeons at all displeasing or un- 

 natural, although they certainly are a very marked arid 

 peculiar style of bird. We can admire the classic figure 

 of Atlas with the globe upon his shoulders ; the Cropper 

 is an Atlas wearing the globe under his shirt front. He 



* Willughby. 



