62 BEHAVIOR OF PIGEONS. 



The nest-call is also used in connection with egg-laying and the feeding of young. The 

 crested pigeon gave the call-note almost continuously just before laying. A mourning- 

 dove likewise gave a low call several times just before she took a position to lay. The call 

 here was the usual call to nest-making. The feeding-call, which is given by adults during 

 the act of feeding the young, is essentially the same as the nest-call for straw. (R 19, R 28.) 



During a period of 165 minutes that a male bronze-wing was on the nest there 

 were recorded 55 nest-calls on the part of the male to 7 for the female. During 

 39 minutes in the afternoon, while the male was on the nest, 17 calls were noted 

 for the male and 1 for the female. During 55 minutes while the female was on the 

 nest, the male called 12 times and the female 8 times. During incubation the male 

 thus seems to call more frequently than the female. Probably calls are more 

 frequent while the bird is on the nest. Either bird may take the initiative in call- 

 ing and usually the calls are not answered by the mate. 



ALIGHTING, OK SHORT-NOTE CALL. 



The short-note call is a regular thing on landing, whether on the perch or on 

 the floor, for both sexes of bronze-wings. The above generalization is amply 

 supported by many notes in the record of the bronze-wings, a few examples of 

 which are given: 



The male went to perch near the nest and emitted three or four short notes ; these were 

 rolled off quickly without other demonstration. Then he returned to the floor and 

 repeated these peculiar quick, sheep-like notes and began looking for straws. The 

 female flew to the floor and immediately on alighting gave the short quick notes- four 

 to six uttered about as rapidly as possible without blending. The male returned to the 

 nest and gave the short notes upon arrival at the perch. The male flew to the perch in 

 front of the nest and gave the short-note call two short grunts. The alighting-note of 

 these birds is a short note repeated rapidly. This is homologous with the threatening 

 note of the white- wing (M. leucoptera) and other species. (R 33, R 1.) 



