144 MODE OF MATING. [CHAP. iv. 



They still continue their care of the former ones after 

 the second young are hatched, but seem often much re- 

 lieved by their sudden disappearance into the depths of 

 a pie." H. H. 



But true love does not always run on thus smoothly : 

 with Pigeons, if the cock is not a bit of a tyrant, the hen 

 is apt to be an indomitable vixen. " Notwithstand- 

 ing they are very constant," says the Treatise, "when 

 paired to each other, seldom parting, except when either 

 of them grows sick or very old, yet 't is difficult to make 

 them pair to one's mind. 



" Therefore, to oblige them to this, there should be 

 two coops erected, called by the fanciers matching places, 

 close together, with a lath partition between them, that 

 they may see each other ; and should be so contrived, 

 that they may both eat and drink out of the same ves- 

 sels, feeding them often with hemp-seed, which makes 

 them salacious ; and when you observe the hen to sweep 

 her tail to the cock, as he plays in the other pen, which 

 is termed shewing, you may put her in to him, and they 

 will soon be matched. 



" But if, for want of this convenience, you are obliged, 

 at first, to put them both into one coop, always put the 

 cock in first for a few days, that he may be the master of 

 the place, especially if the hen le a virago; otherwise 

 they will fight so much as perhaps may settle in them 

 an absolute aversion for ever after. But the cock, being 

 master, will beat the hen, if refractory, into compli- 

 ance."* 



Females in general will put up with any treatment, 

 rather than with indifference and neglect. A woman 



* Treatise, p. 13. 



