LOVE-GIFTS OF TIT-BITS 107 



to feed their young may often be excited by stuffing 

 themselves ; canary-breeders well know that the 

 addition of a tasty item to the menu is the best way 

 to start the old birds feeding the young ones 

 vigorously. 



One of the most touchingly human actions of 

 birds is the feeding of each other by the sexes ; 

 generally of the female by the male, which is 

 reasonable enough, since he has to conciliate her 

 feelings, and any extra food that she may obtain 

 without extra exertion is so much to the good, 

 having in view the physiological demands made 

 upon her during laying and sitting, to say nothing 

 of the care of the young, in. which she usually takes 

 the chief part if not undertaking it altogether. 

 Often the female is fed on the nest, as by the Rook ; 

 but this courtesy is often extended to her at other 

 times, though more especially at the breeding-season; 

 in fact, when one bird is seen to feed another, it is 

 generally a sure sign of the pair having decided to 

 enter on matrimonial affairs. 



The sight is common among our domesticated 

 birds ; the well-known " billing " of Pigeons and 

 Doves is merely the female being fed from the 

 crop by the male, as the young are by both sexes ; 

 the Cock gallantly calls the hens to any morsel he 

 has found, and when food is thrown does not eat 

 until they are all served ; Canaries are so keen on 

 feeding something when in breeding condition 

 that they will, when cocks are kept, as usual, singly, 

 disgorge food on the perch and eat it again, and 



