Evening star., 1948-03-11
This and That
By Charles Z. Traceyell
ARMY AND NAVY CLUB.

Dear Sir:
In the corner of balustraded stone bal
cony outside my downtown Office window,
pair OF pigeons have built straw nest and
laid and Matched two or three eggs.
Ihey started this enterprise in the most
unsalubrious weather In February, so much so
that l thought they were demented
But with unwavering devotion to the under
taxing they have alternated in their setting
night and day. snow or rain, in much below
freezing conditions.
1T has been lesson to me in natural laws.
and in parenthood,
''Is this not an unusual instance of birds
breeding so early?
Does the male pigeon share equally with
the female the burdens of nesting?
The newly Matched birds are not naked as
imagined they would be, but have a suffi-
cient woolly down.
"How long before they will leave the nest
If they survive thes cold?
From five-story ennence, when they as
fedglings start to fly, may they not fall and
perish?
Thank you as always for your treasured in
formation,
VERY sincerely, E. Mac ""
Both male and female pigeons take part In
nest building, incubation and care of the young.
Pigeons, and their cousins, the doves and the
English sparrows.
These all believe in nesting earlv despite the
weather
Common, sparrows have been seen carving
straws early in February.
Doves and pigeons start nesting very early
The turtle or Carolina dove has been known
to nest in December!
Let us note, at this point. that the names of
dove and pigeon are practically synonymous.
In common practice, however, the name of
dove is given the smaller members of the group
In large cities, the world around, the ordinary
pigeon has come to dominate in downtown pre-
cincts.
1t is a hardy. bull-headed creature able to
hold its own with starlings and others.
Though often spoken of as the dove OF
peace" the dove or pigeon is a bad actor, at
times, being able to whip its weight in blue jays
or starlings
The Carolina dove at feeding station stands
for no nonsense.
One smust smile at such a phrase as "the
gentle dove" when watching one of these
fellows.
Pigeons are homogeneous, but are not re-
garded as very constant in their affections,
except that during the breeding season they
behave very we'll as our correspondent notes.
Young pigeons are Matched naked, but short
ly acquire down.
the adults, and later from partially digested
seeds or grain from the crops
This is IAN interesting operation to watch
The young pigeon sticks its bill into the par
ents mouth, and the older bird then regurgi-
tates the food, aiding the operation by jerk
ing or twitching of the entire body and wings.
Pigeons like both grains and seeds, as well
as some fruit, and little salt. Their way of
drinking is unique.
The bill is immersed to the nostrils and the
water drawn in continuous draught. No
other bird, as far as we know, drinks in this
way
Our correspondents young pigeons may re-
quire month or two to get going.
In the meantime, in such situation, there
is some danger that they may fall.
1t is best, If possible. to build up a small
ledge in front of them. made of a piece of
board about 3 or inches high.
AL in all, pigeons are hardy, and able to sur
vive inimical conditions as to situation, food
and weather.
At bird-feeding stations they are not desir-
able. but on their own are interesting. capable
birds, with habits that set them srart.