CHAP. XV.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 305 



hatred, for the cock, however attentive to his 

 mate, yet expects her to yield to his au- 

 thority, and perhaps the most prudent way 

 of pairing them is to place them in separate 

 coops, adjoining each other, when by leaving 

 them alone, and feeding them with hemp- 

 seed, they will soon display an inclination 

 for each other ; but unless you have an ob- 

 ject in view beyond the mere fancy of the 

 cross, the better way is to leave the birds to 

 act for themselves as dictated by nature. 

 If left to seek abroad, the courtship is com- 

 menced by the attractive " cooing" of the 

 dove, which calls the male in her softest tone 

 of love to the spot where she lies hid. He 

 then assumes a pompous strut, his head ele- 

 vated and his throat swelled ; he every now 

 and then rises on the wing, hovering in cir- 

 cles around her, until at length he approaches 

 her, and they caress each other by crossing 

 their beaks, in " billing :" which prelimi- 

 naries being soon adjusted to mutual satis- 

 faction, they immediately commence domestic 

 operations. 



In building their nests, the female is the 

 architect : the male gallantly performing the 



