BREEDING HABITS. 



The hen pigeon builds the nest, which is not an elaborate 

 affair, simply a good-sized handful of nesting material laid 

 straight in the nappy. They do not build a circular nest in 

 the careful manner of some birds. If they wish to hatch on 

 the floor of the squab house, their ne.st is there usually of a 

 rudimentary pattern. 



When the nest is built, the cock begins to "drive" the hen 

 around the house and pen. In a flock of pigeons on the roof 



PIGEONS IN THE SUN. 



This roof has no wind-break, but it is of the ordinary construction, which is cheaper than the 

 -wind-break style. Althougli the pairs are mixed tOKetlier, each pair of mates remains constant 

 for years, one male attending the same female all.the time. 



of the squab house, you always will see one or two cocks 

 "driving" their mates, pecking" at them and nagging them 

 with the purpose of forcing them onto the nest to lay the 

 eggs. The cock seems to take m.ore interest in the coming 

 family than the hen. 



The hen lays one egp^ in the nest, then skips a day and 



40 



