34 



NATURE STUDY REVIEW [8:1— Jan., 1912 



Fig. 1. Owl. 



birds become mated, they 

 remain so permanently if 

 disturbing factors, such 

 as the presence of a sur- 

 pkis of unmated males, 

 are kept away. The 

 birds will breed the 

 year around, but it is best 

 to separate the sexes dur- 

 ing the winter months, 

 since it is very difficult to 

 raise squabs during the 

 cold weather. If the 

 birds leave the eggs for a 

 few moments, the eggs 

 become cold, or if there 

 are squabs they are apt to 

 freeze. Even if they do not die outright, they often contract 

 "colds" or "canker" and die after lingering on -for a considerable 

 period. Furthermore, there is much more danger of sickness 

 among the old birds if they are allowed to breed during the 

 cold weather. If the pigeons are kept in a warm place, however, 

 they could probably be bred the year around without difficulty. 



There is a variety of ways in which the nest boxes may be 

 constructed, but the essential is to have some place that may be 

 easily cleaned. Often two boxes are arranged so that they open 

 from a single entrance. Since a new complement of eggs is often 

 laid before the previous squabs are ready to leave the nest, and th 

 thus two nests are in use at once by the same pair of birds, earthen 

 ware nest pans or "nappies" are com- 

 monly placed in the nest boxes and to- 

 bacco stems or straw provided for the 

 nest, which the birds themselves build. 



Only two eggs are laid and these 

 at an interval of about forty-five 

 hours — the first usually between four 

 and six in the afternoon and the 

 second about one and two o'clock 

 in the afternoon of the second day 

 following. Both birds take part 

 in incubation, the male taking his 

 turn on the nest from about ten 

 o'clock in the morning until the middle Fig. 3. Wiiitf. Fant-vh.. 



