THE PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG ANIMALS 247 
My pigeons have been kept in a large, airy, clean loft, 
have been well fed, and provided with plenty of good 
water—a most important matter in the case of pigeons. 
They have been at liberty to fly out of the loft freely 
almost every day. As a matter of fact, the state of 
health in the entire loft has been good, 
All of these things are, of course, of importance in 
interpreting the records that follow. 
It seemed to me highly desirable that not only 
different breeds, but different individuals should be the 
subject of observation. 
I would remind those not familiar with the habits of 
pigeons that the male and female, unlike domestic 
animals, pair up mostly for life if not interfered with, 
so that, speaking generally, a number of pairs may be 
kept in the same compartment of a loft without 
crossing, whether they be of the same or of different 
varieties, when once they are thoroughly mated. 
The male and female sit on the eggs in turn, and 
both take upon them the work of feeding, which 
consists of disgorging into the mouth of the young 
water they have swallowed and partially digested or 
softened food from their own crops. 
During the first few days after the hatching of the 
young, the parents supply a secretion from their own 
crops, known popularly as “pigeon’s milk,’ and which 
chemical analysis has shown lately to be a term not 
wholly inappropriate. 
Diary of the Pigeon. 
Ow. Piceon.—Hatched out by its own parents, that 
also fed and reared it. 
When born, the eves seem to be closed. 
2nd day.—On touching the back of the young one, it 
moves its head and opens its eyes. 
