Papegai or papegault

Papegai or papegault

Papegai or papegault, depending on the region, is a word in old French that means bird, parrot. After the Crusades, when parrots were brought to Europe, it became fashionable to shoot these birds. Over time, the live animal was replaced by a bird made of wood or cardboard placed on top of a pole or pole, for bow or crossbow shooters, and then for musketeers. This sport also existed in other countries, e.g. in Scotland - Papingo Shooting, in England - Popinjay, in Denmark - Skyde Papegøjen, in the Netherlands - Papengoy.
In the picture: Archers in Avignon, 17th century.