NICOBAR PIGEONS. 65 



tion. Being- let out from the cage, the drake 

 immediately entered the aviary — the unfortunate 

 couple were again united ; they quacked, crossed 

 necks, bathed together, and then are supposed 

 to have related all their mutual hopes and fears 

 during the long separation. 



One word more on the unfortunate widower, 

 who kindly offered consolation to the duck when 

 overwhelmed with grief : she in a most ungrate- 

 ful manner informed her drake of the impudent 

 and gallant proposals he made to her during his 

 absence ; — it is merely supposition that she did 

 so ; but at all events the result was, that the re- 

 covered drake attacked the other, the day subse- 

 quent to his return, pecked his eyes out, and in- 

 flicted on him so many other injuries, as to occasion 

 his death in a few days. Thus did this unfortunate 

 drake meet with a premature and violent death 

 for his kindness and attention to a disconsolate 

 lady. It may perhaps be correctly written on 

 a tablet over his grave — '^ A victim to conjugal 

 fidelity." 



Several of the beautiful Nicobar pigeons are 

 also in the aviary, and are usually seen perched 

 upon the trees, even upon the loftiest branches. 

 They build their rude nests and rear their young 

 upon trees, similar to all the pigeon tribe. They 

 usually come down to feed upon the ground, but 



VOL. II. F 



