era ener ONG (BiG eee DEEN II 
Pigeon’s Nest on Apartment 
| Dresser 
WO mating pigeons who have found sanctuary in a sunny room 
of the apartment of J. L. McGee, 88 Spruce Place, provide an 
interesting problem for Minneapolis ornithologists. 
Several days ago these two feathered creatures stepped from a win- 
dow sill of the apartment to an adjacent dresser in the room, and there, 
after much chattering and cooing, built their nest. And there they are 
today, each taking turn, male and female, brooding over the two white 
eggs that now repose in the strange nest. The McGees keep the window 
open for the exit and entry of their unusual tenants. 
This paradox of nature has astonished the friends of Mr. and Mrs. 
McGee who have seen the feathered pair. But Mrs. McGee speaks of it 
simply. In fact, she suggests an explanation. 
About three weeks before the pigeons were noticed on the window 
sill Mrs. McGee, while out walking, had picked up an injured pigeon. 
She took it home, gave it food and aided its recovery. Some time after 
the pigeon had flown away two mating creatures began to perch daily on 
the window sill. There was much to-do in the chattering between them. 
The female seemed to be persuasively assuring her mate that here, in 
the McGee home, could be found a most benevolent refuge. But the 
male appeared doubtful. 
After a few days, however, the male bowed to the wishes of his mate. 
The argument could not be continued, for there was little time to lose. 
Presently the female courageously crossed the window sill and 
alighted on the dresser. In her mouth she bore a twig. That was the 
beginning of the nest in which very soon the two white eggs appeared. 
Mr. and Mrs. McGee, marveling at the strange sight, thoughtfully 
placed a heavy towel under the nest when it was in the early stage of 
building. This made a soft repository for the eggs. 
“The birds are extraordinarily tidy,” said Mrs. McGee. “I thought 
at first they might cause trouble in this respect, but they haven’t.”’ 
The female bird broods on the nest all through the night. She does 
not fear the owners of her protected home, allowing the McGees to ap- 
proach her nest at any time. The male sits on the nest from late morning 
through the afternoon while the female flies out the window for daily 
exercise. He is more wary of strangers than she. He becomes disturbed 
if anyone approaches too close to the nest. 
Neither of the little home-makers now shows alarm when the electric 
lights of the apartment are switched on or off; neither are they dis- 
turbed by music or conversation. They feel the air of security. 
