1868.] 359 [Harris. 



the Society. Tlie Trumpeter derives his name from the peculiar 

 hollow call, fancied by some to resemble the low notes of a trumpet. 



Of the starlings, quakers, nuns, owls, magpies, beards, and a score 

 of othei-s, I have not at present time to speak, and will only call at- 

 tention to the beautiful variety called the Snell. 



The habits of the pigeon are very interesting, and but little known. 

 At this season of the year, unless the coop is artificially warmed, 

 they sliow but little inclination to breed. But two months later, the 

 old pau's make uj) their winter's quarrels, and odd birds select their 

 mates for the breeding season which is about to commence. Now the 

 owner must exercise much watchfulness and care. Once mated 

 there is seldom any trouble, or danger of hybrids. Young birds, if 

 well mated at first, usually retain their mates for several years, but 

 old birds wliose mates have been often changed become careless and 

 unfaithful, and .should be kept isolated, if possible. 



The pair will soon begin to collect straws and coarse sticks for a 

 nest or take possession of an old one. Many birds do not build at all, 

 but the females lay upon the floor in some quiet corner where they are 

 undisturbed. For a day or two previous to the laying of the eggs, 

 the cock bird drives the hen from place to 2^1ace, giving her no rest 

 excejjt when ui^on the nest ; actuated I suppose by some instinct or 

 fear tor the safety of the eggs. The first egg is laid late in the after- 

 noon, and the second (for they lay but two) on the morning of the 

 third day. Setting then begins in earnest. The female leaves the 

 nest every morning at about nine o'clock, the male relieving her until 

 three o'clock in the afternoon. At the end of the eighteenth day the 

 young birds begin to break the shell and soon make their escape. 

 They are entirely destitute of covering and very helpless. For the 

 first day or two they receive no nourishment, after that for about ten 

 days, the female feeds, at first wholly with a natural secretion of a 

 pulpy consistency which she ejects from her own ci'op into the beak 

 of the young. This secretion gradually diminishes in quantity and 

 its place is supplied by grain, etc., which is swallowed Ijy the old ones, 

 and after it has become masticated and heated is fed out to the youne^ 

 Pigeons never carry their grain to their nests in their beaks. It is 

 always fii-st swallowed. Very soon the male bird assumes the greater 

 share in supplying food to the young, and often, after the exhaus- 

 tion of the natural food of the female takes them under his sole 

 charge. The young grow with wonderful rapidity, and if properly 

 fed and brooded soon begin to feather ; when about four weeks old 

 the parent birds either eject them from the nest and lay again, or 

 select some other spot leaving the young in quiet jjossession of their 

 cradle, although still under the watchful eye of the male. Three 

 broods are generally raised from March to August, Avhen the annual 



