OTHER INSTINCTS. 141 



into the cot and nests there. The same is true for female ring-doves mated with white 

 fantails and black tumblers. In the reversed cross i.e., where the male is a ring-dove 

 and the female a homer the pair nest in the cot, but the male sits out at night and she 

 sits with him if she has no young or eggs to care for. 



In a cross between a satinette male and a crested-pigeon female, both sit out of doors 

 rather than in the cot. The male prefers to roost inside, but she persists in staying outside, 

 and he finally, after several nights, concluded to stay out with her. 



The young of G. humeralis are not weaned or rather are not driven off by the parents 

 as early as in other species. A 7-weeks-old young has been treated kindly, and when I took 

 him away the old male seemed to be quite disturbed; when night came the young called 

 and the male answered and was long uneasy. Even the next day the young kept up its call 

 and the male parent responded. The sociability of this species is evinced from the start 

 by the young. They are extremely attractive in their fondness for their parents, in their 

 sweet, almost musical notes, in their loving head-movements, in their roosting between the 

 old birds, etc. 



A young speckled-neck (Sp. suralensis) about 6 weeks old likes the company of his 

 foster-father (a ring-dove), and seeks to sit close beside him at night. It is very interesting 

 to notice its behavior as it approaches the old bird. It comes up in a very inoffensive, 

 affectionate way, and before snuggling down beside the old bird puts up its beak and 

 fondly caresses the head and beak of the old bird, as if to make sure of his good will and to 

 win favor. It reminds one of the dog that crouches and wags its tail as it approaches its 

 master in some doubt of a friendly reception. The same kind of behavior is very common 

 with young pigeons of all kinds, and even with mates. The young of crested pigeons and 

 of G. humeralis are peculiarly demonstrative in their social manners. 



A 6-months-old crested pigeon was placed in a cage with an 8-weeks-old hybrid between 

 a black tumbler and a ring-dove. The hybrid showed some affection for his companion, 

 although he had been brought up with his parents and never before had seen a crested 

 pigeon. This crested pigeon is very gentle and inoffensive, never attacking or showing 

 the slightest disposition to quarrel. The hybrid soon learned that the crested was harmless 

 and trustworthy, and "confidence" is a condition of friendly relations. Let a dove strike 

 or peck and it may expect the same in return or to be feared and shunned. (B 2C, R 7.) 



FIGHTING. 



The young of the ring-dove show the instinct to fight at the sight of individuals of their 

 own species and of other birds which are more or less strangers to them. The instinct is 

 first shown in the nest at the approach of any strange object, such as the hand. The mode 

 of fight is to swell up the breast and raise the feathers, or pin-feathers, so as to look "large." 

 The eye looks fierce and the mandibles are snapped, and with each snap a puff of air is 

 expelled, much as a kitten "spits" in the face of an antagonist a dog. If the hand is 

 moved rather quickly, the young may strike with the beak and with the wing. All these 

 movements are purely instinctive, or, shall we say, reflex acts? 



After the young get out of the nest they are generally very inoffensive and seldom 

 attack a companion. But when night comes and the roost is taken they become tenacious 

 of their place and are quick to warn intruders not to come near. This is true especially 

 of the domestic dove and of passengers, which do not sit in close order at night, as do the 

 crested pigeons. 



At first the instinct to fight may not appear at all during eating, although it is called 

 out from the start on the roost. In the course of time they begin to claim food and to drive 

 away those coming second. Ectopistes begins this quite early. The disposition to fight 

 and drive other doves away from the neighborhood of the nest becomes strong as soon as 

 nest-building begins, and is still stronger when the eggs are laid and after hatching. A 



