PIGEONS, DOVES, BITTERNS, 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 (Columba 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 dull-brown 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. 
Oranes and herons are also shot occasionally, as their 
flesh is excellent, especially when it is a little high. They 
fight. bravely when wounded, and, as their bills are sharp, 
persons ought to be careful in approaching them, 
