64 PIGEONS AND THE PIGEON FANCY; 



Pigeons pair, like the singing-birds ; but, instead of 

 mating for the season, remain paired year after year, even, 

 as a rule, for life. I say as a rule because there are fre- 

 quent exceptions ; and the constancy of the dove has been 

 greatly exaggerated, as they occasionally desert one an- 

 other to choose more congenial mates, and are by no means 

 always faithful to the vows made at billing, even when 

 the partnership is continued. So are their meekness and 

 gentleness largely imaginary. It is, I fear, the soft, 

 plaintive voice of the pigeon that has done much for its 

 reputation. There could scarcely be a more striking illus- 

 tration of a quarrelsome disposition, prone to pick up a 

 row whenever possible, than is afforded by some cock 

 pigeons. Such a bird will take up his station at the en- 

 trance of a loft, and do his best to prevent the passage in 

 or out of any inmate, rushing to and fro with malicious 

 cooing and vicious strokes of his bill. Such a pigeon 

 often takes possession of the whole side of the room, 

 comprising many more nests than he can possibly use, 

 and maintains his position until actually whipped in a 

 free fight with some other cock. A pigeon frequently 

 acts to perfection the dog in the manger, perching upon 

 the food box or the bath solely to keep other pigeons 

 away. This is hardly exceptional, unless in degree. No 

 bird is more jealous of his rights and privileges, and they 

 are all greedy and all will fight or run. I have watched 

 with some excitement fights over a nesting place, which 

 lasted for many minutes. They approach one another 

 side wise, holding on high the off wing in a threatening 

 way, and striking with the one next their rival, and 

 also with their beak. It is highly amusing to see two that 

 are about equally matched, in a nesting box, wrestling, 

 each trying to pitch his antagonist out and not to be 

 pitched out himself, so that they turn round and round 



