WOOD AND WASTE 187 



Pigeon, on intimate acquaintance, seems 

 truly a very sensible bird. Thus, when put 

 back into the aviary after some weeks of 

 entire freedom, many birds would have spent 

 hours battling- against the wire. Not so 

 the Pigeons. They at once settled down. 

 Then, when poor "Pidgy" was hurt by an 

 angry hen, and carried back wounded to 

 my working room he was welcomed by 

 *' Uncle Harry" — still on his artificial nest 

 and then for long separated from his 

 parents — with effusive wing shakings, and 

 it is a curious fact that on at least two 

 occasions "Pidgy" attempted to feed the 

 younger bird pigeonwise from the crop. 

 Then, again, "Pidgy," when brought back 

 hurt, settled at once on his bowl and re- 

 sumed again his old cleanly habit in regard 

 to sanitation of nest. Other instances of a 

 high degree of intelligence on the part of 

 the two perfectly wild bush birds that 

 have domesticated themselves will be men- 

 tioned later. Of the trio it is "Uncle 

 Harry" whom we love best. I confess we 

 spoil him, though, mind you, his is not a 

 nature easily hurt. He is too gentle and 



