11 



intrusion, till they are able, in some degree, to care for them- 

 selves. The development taking place early or late, according as 

 the birds are more or less able to contend against their enemies, 

 it may become Avholly suppressed throughout the life of the in- 

 dividual, by association before its development with the natural 

 objects of fear. Again it may appear late in life as the result 

 of discontinuance of constant association. This may be clearly 

 shown by taking a pet bird and placing it in a large cage hung 

 in the orchard, where, if seldom visited, it will soon become as 

 wild as any of its species, no matter how tame it may have been 

 before. 



Male birds show some signs of sexual maturity at the end of 

 tive weeks, when occasionally they may be seen ''driving." Yet 

 mating, which in all likelihood, lasts for life, does not take place 

 till the following spring. About the seventh or eighth week 

 there is a fanciful attempt to utter the cooing notes ; at this age, 

 however, they consist of but two notes, instead of the character- 

 istic four sjdlables. "Coo-o-o. ah-coo-o-o. coo-o-o, coo-o-o, " and re- 

 sembles that of the adult much less than the crowing of the cock- 

 erel does that of the two-year-old. In less than two months, 

 however, they are able to coo with the correct intonation and 

 timing. The change of voice, Avhich among domestic pigeons 

 distinguished the so-called "Peepers" and "Squeelers" from the 

 adult, takes place in doves about the seventh or eighth week, 

 and is one from a high pitched peep to a low coo. A low, short 

 coo is used as a Avarning note of apparent danger, and is taken 

 lip from one to the other when thej^ are in flocks. 



Young birds can be readily distinguished by the fact that the 

 feathers are tipped with ash white, and are considerably lighter 

 in color than the adult ; there are also to be found many more 

 of the black spots on the wings and back than on the old bird. 

 Change in plumage takes place between the seventh and eighth 

 weeks, when the ashy-tipped slightly grayish feathers are re- 

 placed by others of a rich brown color ; this also being the winter 

 plumage of the adult, while that of summer is lighter and of 

 slightly pearl-blue tint. The small black mark below the ear, 

 which is a distinguishing point in this species; the black line 

 above the ear, not found in all birds, and the vinaceous bronzing, 

 so characteristic of the males, do not appear till after the first 





