Pair of Trumpeters. 



CHAPTER II. 



MANAGEMENT OF PIGEONS. 



Feed their own young. New-hatched squabs. The pigeon-loft. The trap. 

 Nesting-places. Food and luxuries. Water-supply. Out-door pigeon-houses. 

 Pole-house. Dovecotes. Pigeon law. Varro's dovecote. Stocking the loft. 

 Commencement of breeding. Laying. Incubation. Merits of the cock. 

 Nutrition and growth of the squabs. Pairing of pigeons. Two hens will pair 

 together. Widowed pigeons. Young birds. Differences among the eggs and 

 the very young. Providential adaptations. 



THE main difference between Pigeons and all other 

 birds that are bred with us for domestic uses, is, that 

 the young of the latter have to be supplied with suit- 

 able food as well as the parents, and on that supply 

 very much depends the chance of successfully rearing 



