44 PIGEONS. 



of being fed by otber pigeons as well as their parents, wbicb frequently happens. 

 An old cock pigeon, who is a good father, will often take compassion upon a 

 hungry squeaker which teazes him, and runs after him begging for food, although 

 it does not belong to him, and will charitably bestow upon it the contents of his 

 crop." When nests are placed upon the floor, breeding-boxes for the concealment 

 of the nests are very desirable. They should be made without bottoms, so as to be 

 merely covers to slip over the nests. One very convenient form is shown in Figure 

 IX. It consists of three sides of a cubical box, and half of a fourth, the bottom 

 and side next the wall' being absent. This is placed over the nesting-pan, and admits 

 of being lifted off in an instant, either for the purpose of observation or for cleaning 

 around the nest. One advantage of this form is that the cock bird usually takes 

 his station over the nest of his mate, and thus does not interfere with the birds 

 belonging to other nests, nor permit any intrusion on his own. ■ 



Another form of nest-box is even still more simple. It is formed, as shown in 

 Figure X., of an oblique or slanting board resting against the wall ; this is sup- 



no. X. SLAXTIXG NEST-BOX. 



ported by a piece behind, not seen in the drawing, and a half piece in front : thus 

 a convenient shelter for the nest is formed. It is always to be borne in mind that 

 pigeons invariably prefer a concealed and snug retreat for incubation to any open 

 place that may be afforded them, and, where they are allowed a chance, sometimes 

 make strange selections. We recollect going into the room of an ardent fancier, 

 who had at tbat time a very valuable stock of birds, and his showing us a nest in 

 the sleeve of an old coat, which he had accidentally left on the floor of his pigeon- 

 room a few days previously. 



Having spoken at some length of the nest-boxes, we now have to speak of the 

 nests themselves. Having tried every plan that has been suggested for their 

 construction, we are free to confess that we know of none so advantageous as the 

 employment of the coarse earthenware saucers known as nest-pans. These are 

 formed usually of rough red earthenware, and are best if made of the shape shown 

 in Figure XI. ; although for large birds, as Pouters and Carriers, some fanciers 

 prefer the nest-pans to be rather flatter at the bottom than the one represented. In 

 size, these pans should vary with that of the different breeds ; for small birds, as 

 Tumblers, seven or eight inches in diameter is quite sufficient; but for Pouters, ten 

 inches is not too great. These pans should be made heavy, so that they are not 



