148 BEHAVIOR OF PIGEONS. 



ting quite composedly on the cot-stand. He soon went inside and I closed the door, 

 inclosing both the owl and the guinea. Three days later, at the age of 9 weeks and 4 

 days, this bird died, probably of indigestion, after a short illness. Up to the last it con- 

 tinued to remain at home, and to share the cot with the male owl. 1 



Although this bird lived a little less than 10 weeks, I feel sure that it demonstrates 

 the possibility of successful domestication in this species. My experience with other species 

 leads me to think that any of them, of similar nesting and food habits, could be easily 

 domesticated; and still more easily, if one lived fairly isolated in the country, where the 

 birds would have but one home, shelter, and supply of food. (R6, R23, A 1/1, R17, X S3.) 



SUMMARY. 



The naturalistic account of various bits of behavior hardly permits of an 

 adequate summary. Marked specific differences are noted, but no generalizations 

 of species relationship are possible. The phylogenetic conception of the evolution 

 of instinct previously developed for incubation and homing is again asserted of 

 tumbling and pouting. The traits of these two breeds of pigeons are but unusual 

 developments of powers and tendencies common to all pigeons. In addition to 

 those cases noted in connection with the reproductive cycle, several interesting 

 examples of modification of instinct are described. When two birds possessing 

 different tendencies are mated, one bird will modify certain instincts so as to adapt 

 itself to the unusual social situation. A female will roost close to her mate, although 

 her natural inclination prompts her to roost with some degree of isolation. Some 

 species naturally roost in a cot, while others prefer to roost outside. In a mating 

 of two birds with such opposed tendencies, some pairs will roost inside, while 

 other pairs will stay outside for the night. In such circumstances a free bird may 

 nest inside a cot when its natural tendency is otherwise. 



By social pressure, dove-cote pigeons may be induced to fly into trees. In the 

 cases cited it was the female bird that adapted herself to the male in the majority 

 of cases, but the rule is not universal. The modification of instinct in the above 

 cases may be considered as due to a conflict with other tendencies, e.g., the instinc- 

 tive and acquired preference for the mate. The social influence is again evident 

 in such traits as wildness and fear. The capacity to learn is also mentioned. 

 Attitudes of fear or trust toward other birds or man are modified by experience. 

 Courage in fighting is strengthened by success. New modes of attack, occurring 

 accidentally at first, are retained when successful, and ring-doves will acquire 

 the habit of roosting inside after being driven in repeatedly. 



1 I had removed the owl mate at the time when she began to lose interest in the care of the young guinea. I did 

 this so t hat the old Owl should not turn against the guinea and drive it, out of the cot, as it would do if the female owl 

 had been allowed to remain and renew her nest. In fact, she had already become a little hostile to the young. After 

 I removed her the male owl took more, interest in the young guinea and seemed to regard it as a mate. The guinea 

 was a splendid bird, and it is a surprise that it should die. I think, however, that coarse seed may have been responsible. 



