1G3 
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 liawk or other ene- 
mies. It is also unable, in consequence of this con- 
strained attitude, to defend itself from the attacks of 
other pigeons, w’ho, by a single stroke of the bill, 
frequently pierce tbe 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 
oesophagus or craw, weakened in all probability be- 
forehand by the constant inflation of tne 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- 
