62 CAEE OF THE YOUNG BIRDS. [CHAP. 11. 



way of this kind adopt the character which sentimenta- 

 lists have assigned to her. Nor, to her credit, does she 

 follow the example of those jaunty widows, who, having 

 secured their jointure on the family estate, and their hus- 

 bands in the family vault, then begin to enjoy life. It 

 will not do for her to make insincere advances to any 

 unmated male in the neighbourhood, be he bachelor 

 or widower. She will soon find it as dangerous a 

 game as playing at marriages is in Scotland, and 

 will be driven to nest with a peck and a buffet, hard 

 enough to show plainly that cock Pigeons, though they 

 have no gall-bladder*, are yet a little choleric, and are 

 not to be trifled with in matters of the heart. Flirta- 

 tions ending in nothing, and femmes seuls intending to 

 keep so, are things intolerable in a columbine commu- 

 nity. But she knows better, and soon follows the more 

 respectable example of the Widow of Ephesiis a lady 

 whom we all approve in our hearts, while we think 

 it decent to blame and ridicule her openly. 



If the Pigeons are to be kept entirely confined in 

 their loft, the nests should be supplied with a little 

 short straw in each; but if they are to be flown, and 

 twigs and straws are at hand, it is better to leave them 

 to make the nests themselves. This indulgence will 

 allow them to exhibit a very curious habit. Just at the 

 time of hatching, the cock bird brings new materials to 



* Fuller (about 1650) alludes to this peculiarity in the anatomy 

 of the Pigeon, and assumes that it ought to be known to all well- 

 educated medical men. " Unworthy pretenders to PhysicTc are rather 

 foils than stains to the Profession. And commonly the most ignorant 

 are the most confident in their undertakings, and will not stick to 

 tell you what disease the gall of a Dove is good to cure." The 

 Holy State, Book I., chap. ii. 



