264 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



" The bows used for this purpose are short, not more than three or 

 four feet long, but the arrows are six or seven feet, made of light cane, 

 and having four pointed and barbed pieces of hard wood in- 

 serted at the end, with their barbs pointing inwards ; these 

 being slightly elastic, and wide enough between the points 

 to receive the body of a Lupi, which is about the size of a 

 domestic pigeon ; when the arrow is discharged from the 

 bow, the chances are in favor of the bird being caught be- 

 tween the points, and held there until taken out alive. 



" Much time is devoted to capturing and taming this beau- 

 tiful species of Pigeon, which may be seen in almost every 

 house, and even in their canoes, where perches are erected 

 expressly for it. It is generally kept clean and in good 

 condition. 



" The process of taming a wild bird occupies much time, 

 and is accomplished by connecting the two feet by a liopple, 

 made of fine cord wrapped with tapa so as not to hurt it, 

 which is joined to a cord twenty or thirty yards long, the 

 opposite end of which is fastened to a perch. The bird is 

 then thrown up, and flying to the length of the cord, is 

 gently jerked back; the violence of the jerk being propor- 

 tioned to the necessary discipline. The operation appears 

 painful, and the distressed pupil is kept flying until it dis- 

 covers that there is no resting-place but its master's hand 

 or the perch. It soon gains confidence, and not being 

 allowed to receive any food but chewed taro, or breadfruit 

 from its master's mouth, becomes very tame. 



" While in port at the Samoan Islands, our ships were 

 constantly surrounded by the canoes of the natives, in 

 many of which roosts were stuck up, and pigeons perched 

 on them ; they had cords fastened to their feet, though they 

 seldom attempted to fly, all appearing to be on the most fixmiliar 

 terms with their owners, who could seldom be induced to part with 

 their pets. Doves [Plilinojms fasciatas), were frequently seen domesti- 

 cated by the natives in the same manner, but they were not in as per- 

 fect discipline, or so highly valued. 



" An average-sized male, killed at Upolu, was sixteen and a half 

 inches long, by twenty-nine inches extent of wings. A female was 

 fifteen and three-fourths inches long, and twenty-eight inches in extent 

 across the wings. 



