68 PIGEON RAISING 



Their nests look dirty and it is certainly in- 

 congruous to see a dainty, beautifully plumed 

 pigeon sitting on a manure caked nest. Pigeon 

 manure cannot, however, be as uncleanly as it 

 looks and instinct certainly tells the pigeon it 

 is not unhealthy for the young, else why should 

 they select manure covered nests? To prove 

 its cleansing properties, examine a manure cov- 

 ered roof after a drenching rain it looks as 

 though it had been scoured with soap and 

 water. 



Look over the nests daily to see if there are 

 any dead squabs to be removed, but leave the 

 nests alone; don't disturb your breeders by 

 cleaning. If the nests are built up too high, 

 take off the top layers, otherwise, leave them 

 alone. They know best. 



Even in the wild state the pigeon is monoga- 

 mous and mates for life, but when confined 

 where food is plentiful and he does not have to 

 forage for each meal, the love of the male for 

 home duties and the care of the young will 

 sometimes lead him to maintain two mates, 

 when his efforts to do double duty during the 

 time of incubation and feeding will be unremit- 

 ting and amusing. I had a tiny bronze tumbler 

 that invariably maintained two mates through- 

 out the year. This is the only case that came 



