CHAP, ii.] COMMENCEMENT OF BREEDING. 55 



When these young Pigeons are about six months old, 

 or before, they begin to go together in pairs, except 

 while associated with the entire flock at feeding times ; 

 and when they are resting on the roofs, or basking in 

 the sun, they retire apart to short distances for the pur- 

 pose of courtship, and pay each other little kind atten- 

 tions, such as nestling close, and mutually tickling the 

 heads one of another. At last comes what is called 

 " billing," which is, in fact, a kiss, a hearty and intense 

 kiss. As soon as this takes place, the marriage is com- 

 plete, and is forthwith consummated. The pair are 

 now united, companions, not necessarily for life, though 

 usually so, but rather durante bene placito, so long as 

 they continue to be satisfied with each other. If they 

 are Tumblers, they mount aloft, and try which can 

 tumble best ; if they are Powters, they emulate one the 

 other's puffings, tail-sweepings, circlets in the air, and 

 wing clappings ; while the Fantails and the Runts, and 

 all those kinds which the French call Pigeons mondains, 

 walk the ground with conscious importance and grace. 

 But this is their honeymoon the time for the frolics 

 of giddy young people. The male is the first to be- 

 come serious. He foresees that " the Campbells are 

 coming " better than his bride, and therefore takes pos- 

 session of some locker or box that seems an eligible 

 tenement. If it is quite empty and bare, he carries to 

 it a few straws or slight sticks ; but if the apartment has 

 been already furnished for him, he does not at present 

 take much further trouble in that line. Here he settles 

 himself, and begins complaining. " Oh, oh ! " he 

 moans, " do come and help me ; do come and comfort 

 me! " His appeal is sometimes answered by the lady 

 affording him her presence, sometimes not ; in which 



