DETERMINATION OF SEX. 25 



cases reveal the sex. We say in " almost " all cases, however, 

 advisedly, since we can state positively that even this test is 

 not infallible. Some few masculine-looking hens will " play up" 

 to other birds, and behave in all respects like a cock; and 

 people have been unjustly suspected of fraud on this account 

 who have acted and given assurances according to the best of 

 their real knowledge and belief. We remember one young Barb 

 which puzzled us for over four months after it attained full 

 growth. From its progress, as a nestling, we had every reason 

 to believe it a hen, when its sudden boldness and change in 

 demeanour compelled a reversal of that opinion. Still later, 

 we saw reason to return to the first impression ; but after that, 

 the bird's behaviour respectively to two strange pigeons turned 

 into the loft placed the matter, as we considered, beyond any 

 doubt, and we had virtually sold the pigeon as a promising 

 young cock, when all doubts were set at rest by the naughty 

 bird laying. We have known more than one case of the same 

 sort, and so does almost any fancier of practical experience. In 

 such cases the actual laying of eggs is the only decisive test ; 

 but they are, after all, very rare and exceptional, and we only 

 cite them to inculcate caution before giving utterance to what 

 may prove an unfounded suspicion. 



Even " matching up " is no conclusive test of the sex of 

 pigeons, since it is no uncommon thing for two cocks to pair 

 and sit with the greatest assiduity ; nay, if eggs be supplied 

 them, they have been known to hatch and rear the young in the 

 most exemplary manner. Much more frequently will two hens 

 pair if they find no proper mates \ but in this case they lay eggs 

 sometimes two, and sometimes four. In the latter case the 

 four will be in the same nest, and occasionally those of one hen 

 or both may hatch, from a chance connection with some cock 

 in the loft. The strangest thing is that occasionally even 

 proper matches have been abandoned for these strange unions, 

 which are probably due to the great resemblance in pigeons 



