310 Townsend, Notes on the Rock Dove. [july 



steep angle that the birds are unable to alight, and "pigeon-proof" 

 architecture is spoken of. Besides the dung, small sticks are used 

 in the construction of the nest, and there is generally a scanty 

 lining of feathers. The nests vary in size, but are sometimes built 

 up from repeated use to a height of six or seven inches, and are 

 about fourteen inches in outside diameter. 



The number of broods raised by these wild descendants of do- 

 mesticated birds varies very much and is said to be four, but their 

 eggs may be seen in almost every month of the year. The eggs are 

 two in number and pure white in color, characteristic of the hole 

 inhabiting birds. Incubation lasts about two weeks and both 

 parents take part. The young are covered with loose grayish or 

 yellow down and rapidly grow to full size and attain a plumage 

 very similar to that of the adult. They lack the iridescent feathers 

 and are slightly mottled. 



The feeding of the young with the so called "pigeon-milk" by 

 both parents is an interesting phenomenon. The adult thrusts its 

 bill deep down into the side of the bill of the squab, vibrates its 

 wings and works its neck muscles in a pumping manner. The 

 squab, when not actually engaged in the feeding process, waves 

 its wings and calls in beseeching, whistling notes for more. An 

 examination of the gullet of the adult shows a large reticulated 

 glandular crop from which a gelatinous fluid can be squeezed. This 

 secretion mixed with, and serving to digest the contents of the crop 

 forms the pigeon-milk with which the young birds are fed. As the 

 voung grow, grain and other food partially digested is given. 



The cliff-inhabiting proclivities of our city Rock Doves is shown 

 by their night-roosting habits. Besides church towers, which 

 furnish the caves, the ledges on the buildings are thus occupied. 

 Numerous ledges on the different facades of the Court House in 

 Boston are favorite resorts, as are also the long ledges under the 

 eaves of Arlington Street Church and the window ledges on a build- 

 ing on Tremont Street opposite the Common. Whole rows of 

 birds may be seen sleeping peacefully in these situations amid the 

 o-lare of electric lights and the noise of traffic in the streets. These 

 night roosts are favorite resting places in the day and are often 

 more or less occupied in dark and stormy weather. 



The Rock Dove also shows evidence of its former life among 



