GREAT CROWNED INDIAN PIGEON. 121 



All Nature was pleas'd: even the clouds o'er the earth 

 In airy light shadows seemed dancing with mirth ; 



rufous; wing coverts spotted with black; sides of the neck 

 purple ; from fifteen to sixteen inches long; flies in large flocks ; 

 troublesome to rice and corn fields. They are seen over the 

 back woods of America, flying in columns often miles long, 

 where they are caught in a similar way that Bird-catchers around 

 London catch smallbirds, with nets, and some pigeons tied to 

 sticks as fluttering decoys. They are also obtained in other ways. 

 Their nests are on trees; but they hatch only one bird at a time, 

 which, while yet young, becomes very fat. This bird affords, 

 by its abundance, considerable support not only to the Indians 

 but to the whites; and also to birds of prey, and even pigs, who 

 pick up the young pigeons that fall from the nests to the ground. 

 The Coronata, or Great Crowned Indian Pigeon, is 

 bluish, above cinereous; shoulders ferruginous; crest erect? 

 compressed, five inches long; size of a turkey; brought occasi- 

 onally alive to this country. Although so gigantic a pigeon, it 

 has the cooing and all the other characteristics of the tribe. In- 

 habits New Guinea; it is, of course, a fine and valuable bird. 



The Bantamensis has a loud cooing note, for which, in its na~ 

 tive island, Java, it is much admired; a great price is sometimes 

 paid for this bird. Horsfield. 



Of all the pigeon tribe the Carrier and Horseman are the most 

 extraordinary. These, by training, may be taken to a great dis= 

 tance from their home, and yet they will, on being let loose, im- 

 mediately fly to their accustomed habitation. 



" Led by what chart, transports the timid dove — 

 The wreaths of conquest, or the vows of love? 

 Say, through the clouds what compass points her flight? 

 Monarchs have gaz'd and nations bless'd the sight. 

 Pile rocks on rocks, bid woods and mountains rise, 

 Eclipse her native shades, her native skies; — 

 'Tis vain ! through Ether's pathless wilds she goes, 

 And lights at last where all her cares repose. 



