The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-06-05
The Loves Of the Pigeons.


Pigeons always lays two eggs, and
these produce a male and female, so
they are mated from birth, and, could
they remain so they would be the hap
piest of the winged beings. But, alasi
many accidents occur to disturb their
10y and bring trouble and quarreling
into their community, as Charley and
May can testify.
They thought they would buy a pair
of young pigeons and Charley spent
several half-hohdays in making a large,
commodious house for them, and put
ting a ledge on the outside for them TO
stand upon. This he painted very
carefully; but on learning that they Of
ten rubbed their beaks upon the paint
ed wood, and had been known to die in
consequence, he as carefully scrapcd
the paint all off again. The little
creatures were brought home in bas-
ket, and for some time they remained
In their house, unable to fly, and were
carefully fed by the children with rye
and split peas.
At length Charley grew impatient,
and thought he would give them some
lessons f; so he brought them out, placed
one on each shoulder, and then coaxed
them TO fly of. Bob, beautiful pigeon
with black spot on his back and tail,
soon flew around the yard f; but his
little lady huttered from Mays shoulder
to her head, and then to her hand, UNI
wiling to try a longer flight. At length
Bob coaxed her to the roof, one day,
and thence to the ground. 1t was a
long flight for her, ard she lay there
painting, when suddenly neighbor's
dog rushed upon her, and before Char
lev could reach her shes was dead.
Poor Bob few back and forth in wider
and wider circles. He searched for her
ali day long from every roof in the
neighborhood, and came home TO his
lonely house at night bat early the
next morning he flew off, unable 10 re-
main alone where he had once beeen SO
happy.
For a long time the children watched
for his return but months passed, and
nearly a year after, they purchased an
other pair. These were pure white,
and so young they could not fly. This
time the children decided they would
not teach them, but let them take their
own time IN learning. 1t seemed long
time, although it was not many days,
before Bob put his head cautiously out,
and peering around, flew up to the
roof, then down again, eooing and
coaxing lady-bird to try it too. She
was very timid, but he stood by, en-
couraged and flew with her, and she,
too, safely reached the roof.
How happy they werel From that
day they almost lived out-of-doors, only
going in to drink and sleep. Soon the
water was taken from their house and
placed in a large pan under a tree
They saw it, longed for it, but were q
whole day deciding to try IT. At length
Bob few down, tasted, called his maj :,
and stood on the edge Of the pan to
protect her while she drank Then the
pretty creatures tasted the grass, and
finding it safe and pleasant to do so,
often came down and walked around
the grounds. Soon they commenced
flying short distances-Bob always
starting first and coming back for bis
lady-bird-untl each morning saw them
starting forth for a long and joyous
flight. The little creatures were 10
pure, 50 graceful and winning IN their
ways that they were JOY to the whole
family.
One morning they were missing. Late
in the afternoon they returned. having
spent the day in visiting. The next
morning their visit vas returned bg q
large white-and-blaelg pigeon. which tho
/ children felt sure was their lost bird.
Hs spent a pleasant morning flying
+ round and round and round with nlem
+ to view their premises. and then went
/ home. The next morning DE came
again, bringing mate with him; .bni
she soon went back and left him. Bat
ne decided 10 remain and win lady-bird
/ for his ovu. All day long Be- chased
i poor Bob over the roots aud away from
his little mate then he would sfoI
and COO nad talk 10 her in mos4 en-
! tieing manner. One moment the little