THE PIGEON BOOK 31 



and throat. If the characteristics I have pointed out are 

 noted at the time the birds are in the nests, and the ring 

 numbers taken, a mistake will seldom be made in the 

 sexes ; but left until after the youngsters are moved from 

 their parents it will take some time to distinguish the 

 sexes. 



When birds arrive at maturity it is much less difficult 

 to tell the sexes than before they have completed the first 

 moult. 



Mr. Redmond, the well-known fox-terrier breeder, took 

 up pigeons for a time, but expressed disgust to me at the 

 difficulty experienced in determining the sex. He had 

 but to look at the face of a terrier pup and he knew at 

 once its sex without any other examination. 



The same thing really applies to pigeons, for as soon 

 as a fancier gains experience he has little or no difficulty 

 in distinguishing the sexes. There is a certain softness 

 or sweetness about the face of the hen pigeon that the cock 

 does not possess. In all breeds it is the same. The sheen 

 on the neck of the cock is deeper in colour than that of the 

 hen; he is gayer in his actions about the loft. The cock 

 coos longer and louder, turns completely round when he 

 coos, blows his crop fuller, and is far more active about 

 the loft, playing up to every and any other bird. The 

 hen is more shy and gentle — in fact, in every way more 

 ladylike. She gently sweeps her tail and walks in quite 

 a ladylike way, and seldom if ever makes a complete 

 circle when cooing, like the cock, nor does she distend her 

 crop nearly so much when cooing. 



The breastbone of the cock tapers off more towards the 

 vent than that of the hen, which comes to a more abrupt 

 ending, and is further removed from the vent to allow 

 of the passage of the egg. The cock generally has a 

 longer breastbone than the hen, and is closer behind. 



