PIGEONS 



35 



4. A Carrier 



PiGEOX. 



of the afternoon, when the female re- 

 sumes her responsibilities until the next 

 morning. The eggs hatch in about seven- 

 teen days. The idea is prevalent among 

 pigeon breeders, that the first egg laid pro- 

 duces a male and the second a female. 

 This, however, is not true; it is an equal 

 chance whether either egg will produce a 

 male or a female, or whether they will be 

 both of the same sex. The young squabs, 

 when first hatched, are covered only 

 sparsely with yellow down, do not have their eyes open 

 and are entirely helpless. They are fed by both parents. The 

 little bird puts its bill within that of its parent who then re- 

 gurgitates a secretion from its crop known as "pigeon's milk." 

 After the squabs become older, however, they are fed on the 

 grain which has been softened to some extent in the crop of 

 the parent. The young birds usually remain in the nest for near- 

 ly a month, or until they are well feathered and able to fly to a 

 greater or less extent. They are fed by the parents, however, 

 for a considerable time after leaving the nest. During this stage, 

 they are importunate for food and follow their parents about with 

 beseeching cries, and for this reason the name "squealer" is often 



applied to the squab at 



this age. 



Only a few of the 

 breeds and their character- 

 istics can be mentioned in 

 an article of this length. 

 The difference in size in 

 pigeons is not so marked 

 as in some of the oth- 

 er domesticated animals, 

 though small breeds, like 

 the Short-faced Tumbler, 

 are considerably smaller 

 than the average, while one 

 of the largest breeds is as 

 large as a bantam, and is 

 rather facetiously known as 

 a Runt. In the matter of 

 feathering there is great 

 varietv. as seen in the frills 



Fig. 



5. Flying Homer, Racer 

 WITH 500-Mile Record. 



