I'IGEONS AXD ALL ABOUT THEM. 



time, aud tlieu the slide is witlidrawD, tlirowing tlie coo^i in 

 to one. 



But tliis is really not so speedy a way as the other. The 

 birds cau hear eaeli other move aud coo iu a double eoop and 

 thus a stubborn bird does not get that lonesome feeling that 

 conies over it, wheir put off by itself. I have never yet failed 

 to make a.mating I desired, but I once spent three weeks on 

 two jiarticularly stubborn birds. 



Unmated birds should never, under any circumstances, be 

 allowed in the breeding bift. If an odd cock, he is liable to 

 crowd on a nesting ben, while her mate may be away, and 

 break the eggs or cause her to tramjjle on her young while 

 very small. 



I have seen an odd cock visit several nsets, one right after 

 the other and cause trouble iu each. .Sumetimes they attack 

 defenceless young in a neighboring nest and pick them 

 terribly. 



\n (_>dd hen, \\"hil(.' not so ])ad, is also a nuisance, ioi when 

 the mating fever is on her, she will often crowd in on a pair 

 that are just nicely mated and brea.k them up, as the cock 

 will become undecided as to wliicb is his irrate. 



I use a lower room, the same iu which the hens are confin- 

 ed in winter, aud into it 1 ]Jiit every odd bird and all young 

 birds as soon as they are done feeding from their i)arents. 



ti(io<l breeding birds often breed so fast that tliey will have 

 a nearly niatiired ]>air on the bift Hoor and another, just 

 Iiiilcheil, in the nest. 



I I will therefore be seen liow necessary it is to get the older 

 young out of the way, so that the " pigei.ius' milk" may go 

 to the tiny ones iu the nest. ! 



