fficient at first.

You are now ready to release the birds. The males are marked with a
color band on the right leg and the females on the left leg. Keep a
record as you let the birds go to see that each male has a female with
a corresponding band. That is, a male bird with a blue band on the
right leg must have a female also with a blue band on the left leg. The
next chapter will explain the habits of the birds and why they are
banded.

CHAPTER V.

HABITS AND PECULIARITIES.

In the first place, pigeons are monogamous. They must always be kept in
even pairs, because they select their mate and very seldom ever change,
unless forced to select another mate in a mating coop. Even pairs of
pigeons will soon settle down quietly in various nest boxes. They
usually keep the same nest boxes and alternate, having squabs first in
one side and then the other. After the birds have become accustomed to
their quarters and have selected in which nest they are going to start
housekeeping, it will not be many days, before they begin to carry
stems from the pile on the floor and start their nest. They need no
assistance and should not be unnecessarily disturbed until they
commence laying. This should occur in about two weeks and then it is
advisable to look over the nests twice a week, and see that all new
nests are well made and do not resemble a golf tee. Birds sometimes
will build a high nest and lay the eggs on the top without any support.
It is best to spread out a nest of this kind, after removing the eggs,
so as to give a good foundation. Make a slight hollow in the centre of
the stems and then replace the eggs, but be sure and see that the nest
is firm enough to keep the eggs from sinking in, under the stems.

It is advisable for the beginner to mark very lightly with pencil, on
eggs, the date laid. In this way it is very easy to learn the
appearance of an egg at different ages, and soon you will be able to
discern a bad egg at a glance and remove it, so that the old birds will
not waste time sitting on it. Fresh laid eggs are semi-transparent and
have a slightly dull appearance. They gradually grow opaque and solid
white, with only an air space discernable unless candled. During the
third week, the shell will begin to chip and the baby squab will chip a
complete circle, in end of egg and gradually work out. One egg will
usually hatch a day in advance of the other. This is accounted for by
the fact that there is from