60 PAIRING OF PIGEONS. [CHAP. n. 



and the horny quill are severally produced; but ana- 

 tomists appear to differ a little in opinion as to the 

 exact manner in which the growth of the various parts 

 takes place. The pulp, which nearly fills the barrel of 

 the quill while the feather is forming, is connected with 

 the body of the bird by an aperture at that end of the 

 quill which is fixed in the skin, through which aperture 

 or umbilicus a portion of the pulp is extended. The 

 whole of the pulp, within as well as without the quill, 

 is the only part of the feather which appears to be vas- 

 cular, and the large feathers of the wing may be in- 

 jected, while growing, from the humeral artery; but 

 the feathers once perfected, the injection can no longer 

 be sent even into the pulp. The membranes of which 

 it was composed, the former nidus of vessels now obli- 

 terated, dry up, contract, and ultimately separating 

 transversely into funnel-shaped portions (which remain 

 in the barrel of each quill), are well known by the fami- 

 liar term of pith." 



The pairing of Pigeons is a practice so strictly ad- 

 hered to by them, that if the number of male birds in a 

 Dovecote is less than that of females, the supernumerary 

 hens will pair with each other, and set up an establish- 

 ment for themselves; if the males are in excess they 

 will make an excursive tour in search of a mate, and 

 either remain with her at her residence, or, which is 

 just as frequently the case, bring the lady with them to 

 their own home. The unmated hens that thus enter 

 into partnership will go through all the ceremonies of 

 pairing, make a nest, lay two eggs each, sit alternately 

 and carefully, and, if they are members of a large flock, 

 very often rear young. I had a couple of hen Pigeons 

 that generally produced one or two young ones in this 



