Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 08.djvu/69

LEFT RIFLE-BIRD 51 RIGGS hunting rifle of exceptional ballistic at- tainment and the similar military rifle possessing the same characteristics. Be- tween these types of rifle and the rifle of shorter range or greater shocking power, of the order ; and several old guild houses and Hanseatic halls. It is the seat of an archbishop of the Greek Church. Prior to the World War its industries were rapidly growing; they turned out cottons, FIRING PIN COCKING Piece 5AFsrr loch BARREL //a/VD GUARD STRIKER / SPRINGFIELD MAGAZINE RIFLE the variation in mechanism and rifling, with all the consequent alterations in weight, balance, form of stock and sight construction, have been made to depend upon the type of shell used and upon whether the weapon has been designed to employ the steel, soft-nosed or pure lead bullet in its shooting. RIFLE-BIRD, the Ptilorhis paradisa, often spoken of as one of the "Birds of Paradise"; is perhaps the best-known species of a genus which, according to Elliot, comprises four species confined to Australia and to New Guinea. P. para- diseus inhabits the S. E. districts of Aus- tralia, and is found only in very thick "bush." The male is regarded as more splendid in plumage than any other Aus- tralian bird. The upper parts are vel- vety black, tinged with purple; the under parts velvety black, diversified with olive- green. The crown of the head and the throat are covered with innumerable little specks of emerald green of most brilliant luster. The tail is black, the two central feathers rich metallic green. The female, as is often the case, is much duller col- ored than her mate. RIGA, a city and capital of the re- public of Latvia on the Dwina river (crossed here by a bridge of boats and a railway bridge), 7 miles from the mouth of the river, and 350 S. W. of Petrograd, via Pskoff. The old town has narrow streets and mediaeval houses and stores; but the suburbs are laid out in broad streets with handsome buildings. The chief edifices are the cathedral, built in 1204, burned down in 1547, but rebuilt; St. Peter's Church (1406), with a steeple 460 feet high; the castle of the old Knights of the Sword, built 1494-1515, the former residence of the grand-master machines, tobacco, corks, spirits, oils, metal wares, glass, paper, flax, jute, and oilcloth, and employed nearly 12,000 people. Riga was founded in 1201 by Albert, Bishop of Livonia, and soon be- came a first-rate commercial town, and member of the Hanseatic League. It be- longed to Poland from 1561, and in 1621 was taken by Gustavus Adolphus, and in 1710 was finally annexed to Russia. Riga suffered damage from attacks during the World War (1914-1918) and was cap- tured by the Germans. See World War. On the establishment of the Republic of Latvia (q. v.) in 1919, Riga became its capital. Pop. about 335,000. RIGA, GULF OF, an inlet on the E. side of the Baltic Sea. It is 105 miles in length from N. to S. and about 60 in breadth. The islands of Oesel, Dago, Mohn, and Worms, lie across the entrance. The chief river which falls into the gulf is the Dwina. Sandbanks render naviga- tion in some parts dangerous. RIGGING, ropes, chains, etc., used to support or operate a ship's masts or spara and set or trim the sails. Standing rig- ging (usually wire or hempen rope) is per- manent and supports the masts and some of the spars. Running rigging (manila, hemp, cotton, flexible wire, or chain), gen- erally run through blocks, is used in han- dling sails and spars. (See Sail.) Tackle used in logging is also called rigging. RIGGS, ELIAS, an American mission- ary and linguist, born Nov. 19, 1810, at New Providence, N. J. He published Armenian and Bulgarian translations of the Bible. He died Jan. 17, 1901. RIGGS. KATE DOUGLAS WIGGIN. See Wiggin, Kate Douglas.