OF TIJE DOMESTIC PIGEON. 241 



neighbourhood of their own cote, which is awkward 

 during incubation, as in a few hours the eggs will be 

 rendered useless ; but if an accident of this kind hap- 

 pens after hatching, either of the parents, if one is left, 

 will be sufficient to bring up the young. If both be 

 lost, the young birds are easily accustomed to be fed 

 from the hand, the food being small peas, tares, or 

 barley, the preference being given to the two former. 

 Should the birds be only about a week old, they will 

 require to be fed with softer substances, such as bread 

 and milk boiled into a pap. 



" In breeding, the pigeon lays two white eggs, which 

 produce young ones of different sexes. When the 

 eggs are laid, the female sits fifteen days, not including 

 the three days she is employed in laying, and is re- 

 lieved at intervals by the male. The turns are gene- 

 rally pretty regular. The female usually sits from 

 about five in the evening till nine the next morning ; 

 at which time the male supplies her place, while she 

 is seeking refreshment abroad. Thus they sit alter- 

 nately till the young are hatched. If the female does 

 not return at the expected time, the male seeks her, 

 and drives her to the nest ; and should he in his turn 

 be neglectful, she retaliates with equal severity. When 

 the young ones are hatched, they only require warmth 



