74 PIGEON RAISING 



obtain a high dry nest where a few rays of sun- 

 shine can reach. 



I had some pigeons nesting in a dark corner 

 of the pigeon house, all first-class breeders ex- 

 cept one pair, and they never had squabs. I 

 took this pair out and placed them in a small 

 pen and open house where the sun reached 

 their nests the first thing in the morning. They 

 became my finest breeders. I always found it 

 profitable to humor their whims. 



It is a laughable sight to see the male driv- 

 ing the female to her nest. He pecks at her 

 and chases her all over the house and yard un- 

 til she finally gives in and settles down on her 

 nest, when he becomes all devoted attention and 

 brings extra nesting material to make her com- 

 fortable. Then she, in a forgiving spirit, grate- 

 fully kisses him and tucks the straws beneath 

 her. 



The feeding of squabs by their parents is the 

 most marvelous thing in nature. 



I have stated that the male takes his regular 

 turn on the nest. As the time approaches for 

 the eggs to hatch, a thin watery substance 

 torms in the crops of both parents which is 

 called pigeon milk, and this they begin feeding 

 to their young after they are a few hours old. 

 Gradually the milk becomes less digested until, 



