100 BEHAVIOR OF PIGEONS. 



of other birds is necessary. Even inter-species matings can be secured in this 

 manner. Under natural conditions of freedom the selection of a mate is probably 

 determined in large part by chance proximity at the time of sexual readiness. 

 The contiguity secured through confinement operates in several ways. It keeps 

 the birds together until their sexual impulses become synchronized. It tends to 

 eliminate any possible fear and distrust. Which matings a bird will accept depends 

 partly upon the strength of the sexual impulse. Confinement with a certain bird 

 will thus in time overpower the usual canons of preference and secure matings 

 which would not occur in conditions of freedom. 



Selection of a mate is influenced by the strength or potency of the sexual impulse. 

 When the impulse is weak, at the onset of its development, it responds only to the 

 normal or adequate stimuli; when the disposition waxes strong, due to lack of 

 expression or other causes, and the usual stimulus is absent, it overflows the normal 

 bounds of preference and the bird may of necessity accept almost any sort of an 

 object with which to gratify its impelling passion. As noted above, confinement 

 will thus force matings which would not otherwise occur. Pairings between like 

 sexes are secured in this manner. One can thus explain some of the unusual cases 

 of sexual behavior described in Chapter III. The male becomes dominated by 

 the rise of the sexual impulse, but his mate repels his endeavors. Stimulated by 

 her presence and acts working himself up into a state of frenzy by his endeavors- 

 he finally attempts satisfaction on the young, on the seed-dish, or on another 

 convenient object. Given an unrequited and dominant passion, what is more 

 natural than to make advances to his own shadow on the floor or his image in a 

 bottle? 



The case of the male mourning-dove that regarded the author as his mate 

 (Chapter III) presents some difficulty of explanation. The bird was purchased from 

 a dealer when a few months old. It may have been reared in isolation or with 

 pigeons of a different species. No data are given in the records. It was kept in 

 the author's study, after its purchase while young, until sexual maturity was 

 reached. Other mourning-doves were in the room, though no statement is made 

 as to whether they were kept in separate cages or were reared in common. Evi- 

 dently this bird received a good deal of personal attention, for it became quite 

 tame and well acquainted. It is thus possible that this male had been reared 

 with birds of a different species and its preferences had become fixed by this expe- 

 rience, so that birds of its own kind failed to attract it. Solitary and alone, but 

 accustomed to the presence and attentions of its benefactor, its interest and 

 attention centered upon him for companionship. The bird may have been reared, 

 while with the dealer, in entire isolation from pigeons, and the human environment 

 was perhaps the only one in which it lived with any degree of intimacy; and this 

 early training may have so fixed its habits of interest and attention that they 

 persisted for some time after being given companions of its own kind. These 

 habits wore finally broken up, and after some effort this male was induced to pair 

 with a female of a different species. 



