THE MATING PERIOD. 21 



It was abundantly evident from the following behavior that a pair of passenger- 

 pigeons was prepared for the second reproductive cycle. They flew several times against 

 the wire of their cage, and seemed to wish to get out in order to find a new place for a nest. 

 The behavior was the same that I had seen in the blond ring-doves (St. risoria) at such 

 times. Two days later these passengers were very active, but not yet decided where to 

 place the nest. The male was especially active, taking the lead in the search. He kept 

 alighting on a small tree inclosed in their large pen, and here he would put down his head 

 and call the female. I repeatedly saw this pair flying about in search of a nesting-place. 

 I note, too, that when the male flew back and forth he called to his mate while on the wing. 

 These birds stoop as if to fly, and often, before starting, raise and lower the closed wings 

 in the rhythm of flight. Here the flying movement is held in check by the knowledge 

 of the bird that the window and wire were not pleasant things to fly against. 



A pair of blond-rings (E) were very restless this morning and both are now trying to 

 get out of the cage and are evidently intent on finding a place for a nest. These birds 

 stood before the door and kept flying up, as if wishing to have the door opened. They 

 finally went to the old nest and settled down there as a last resort. It is remarkable how 

 strong is the instinct to place the new nest in a new locality. 



A pair of old bronze-wing birds were two or three days in settling on a nesting-place 

 in the same box formerly used by them. They ran back and forth on the floor as if desiring 

 to get out, and on the next day they tried the box, but were not content. Their content- 

 ment was finally fixed, as they could do no better. They were fully decided and at work 

 in the box two days afterwards. The eggs laid here, however, were deserted. On the day 

 following their desertion the birds were both uneasy, running back and forth to get out 

 of the cage; they were evidently hunting for a new nesting-place. On the next day they 

 were beginning to accept the old nest-box again, but they did no real work. A little later 

 these birds again began the hunt for a nesting-place; both ran back and forth to get out 

 of the cage, and when the male went to the nest-box and called, the female flew to the 

 perch and answered. They were not satisfied, however, and soon left the box. Three 

 days later the female was on the nest calling for straw, but the male was running about 

 on the floor trying to get out; apparently he had not yet decided on a place for the nest. 

 An hour later the male began carrying straws and the nest-building was continued indus- 

 triously thereafter. 



A female blond ring that has a crested pigeon for a mate to-day acted like a dove 

 that, after rearing young, is looking for a place at a distance for a new nest. 1 She flew 

 back and forth in a very uneasy manner, trying to get out of her pen into the large room 

 in which it stands. On the following morning the female was driven about by the male, 

 who then seemed uneasy and evidently looking for a place for a new nest. This male 

 tried very hard to get out of the pen and to interest the female, but she appeared compar- 

 atively indifferent. (R17, SS4, C7/17, R33, R19.) 



NEST-BUILDING. 

 ON THE METHOD OF NEST-BUILDING. 



The details of the activities connected with nest-building, as this was observed in a 

 pair of bronze-wings, may be had from the following record made while nest-making 

 was in progress: The male bronze-wing has just carried a straw, delivering it by jump- 

 ing onto the female's back and placing it near her beak. A second straw has just been 



1 It is natural for the pigeons to take to a new nest for the second brood. This is especially true of the common 

 pigeon. But sometimes a bird, more shiftless and indolent than usual, will lay in the old and filthy nest. Many of 

 the species use two nests. Apparently they want a dean nest as well as a new, fresh situation. The male common 

 pigeon, while his mate is sitting, generally seeks another room in the cot for his roost; and when it is time for the 

 second brood he leads the female there ; other pigeons have been driven away, and the place is ready for her to nest. 

 F.obably the common ring-dove uses two nests naturally; and so do many other species. (Conv. 6/24/08, W. C.) 

 3 



