6 



BEHAVIOR OF PIGEONS. 



Jan. 6, 1900. The male sat faithfully in October 1900, but two succeeding sets in 

 November and December received no attention from him. In 1901 the sitting continued 

 until December. It is noted that "the mourning-dove normally ceases to coo or care 

 for eggs after Sept. 1. This late and regular sitting is remarkable, showing that the 

 normal period can be prolonged as a result of domestication. Notice that this 'prolonga- 

 tion' is in a case where the male is unusually successful in fertilizing the ring-dove's eggs." 

 (Excerpts from R 11.) 



LENGTH OF MATING PERIOD. 



The mating period 1 has a duration of 5 to 9 days; in the majority of cases its 

 duration is 6 or 7 days. Apparently, no species differences exist. The average 

 time for all cases after May is slightly less than that for the extremely early part 

 of the season, but the difference is so slight that no confident assertion can be made. 

 Table 2, giving exact data for several species, has been compiled from the various 



TABLE 2. Length of mating period. 



1 That is, the portion of each reproductive cycle during which copulation occurs. 



