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. 



OWL PIGEON. Hatched out by its own parents, that 

 also fed and reared it. 



"When born, the eyes seem to be closed. 



2nd day. On touching the back of the young one, it 

 moves its head and opens its eyes. 



