The whistles are of two types, one consisting of bamboo tubes placed side by side, the other based on the principle of tubes attached to a gourd. Though they look clumsy, they are very light, and are attached to the tails of young pigeons by means of a fine copper wire. When the bird flies, the wind blows through the whistles and sets them vibrating. The Chinese explain their love of this aërial music by saying that the sounds keep the flock together and frighten off birds of prey. second family before the first is grown. The female pigeon sits on the eggs from late afternoon until mid-morning. The male bird assumes the responsibility for the remaining hours. After the young come the male parent is by far the best provider. The squabs are fed in a most unusual way. The parents eat first, digest the food, then regurgitate it for the young. At first this food looks like milk, and is often called "pigeon milk," but as the squabs grow older the food hardens, and just before they leave the nest, whole, undigested grains are fed to them. Pigeons should be fed hard, whole, dry grains, and grit and fresh water should be kept before them constantly. In warm weather they should be given baths. PIGEON CITIZENS OF AJMER, INDIA, VISIT THE RAILWAY STATION Founded about 145 A. D., Ajmer is a handsome city on the Rajputana Railway between Bombay and Delhi, with an important trade in salt. PEKING MERCHANTS DISPLAY THEIR FEATHERED CHARGES IN THE PIGEON MARKET The Chinese are devoted bird fanciers, and a corner of many a city is given over to an interesting bird market, where several varieties are sold. Nearly every home has at least one bird, and pigeons vie in popularity with parrots, pheasants, and canaries. Pigeon eggs are also a prized article of food. Peking manufactures many of the ingenious pigeon whistles (see illustration, page 80). THE MOSQUE OF DOVES: CONSTANTINOPLE The popular name of the mosque of Sultan Bayezid II is especially fitting, though numbers of these birds flock around all the mosques. Moslems, in their preservation of the ancient Oriental reverence for pigeons (see, also, illustrations, pages 89 and 102), do not disturb any bird that nests about the holy buildings. weather may be, pigeons will bathe every day of the year if the facilities are provided; but winter bathing should be carefully regulated, so that the birds will not remain in the water too long and take cold. My birds are never given a bath in winter except on bright, sunny days, and even then the water is left before them for a few minutes only. Pigeons are long-lived. Some are said to have been bred at 16 years, but usually before that time such improvement has been made that the fancier has discarded them for younger specimens. BEAUX AND POLITICIANS IN THE For sheer magnetism and intelligence, pigeons are equaled by no other bird. There are politicians among them, just as among men. Any loft of Pigmy Pouters gives one an impression of visiting a dignified conclave on a gala debate day. One will see a lordly little fellow holding his place in disdain of the goings on around him. Close by, a strutting cock parades up and down, bowing and scraping, preening himself, and eying the gallery all the while. If the slightest attention is given him, he will strut and blow all the more. There is also sure to be a quarrelsome chap, who delights to upset the reserve of the dignified gentlemen and to trip up the grandstander on his parade, while up in the nesting compartments will be interested observers. The scene in a loft of Carriers, where the birds are not penned in individual compartments, will often suggest a veritable battle royal in the prize ring, and one peep at dainty little Fantails at play stirs the imagination to visions of Colonial days, of the minuet, hoop skirt, and AN INTERRUPTED LUNCHEON PARTY IN THE PIAZZA OF SAINT MARK: VENICE The famous Cathedral of Saint Mark and the Campanile are here almost obscured by clouds of pigeons, which feed daily in the square. Beauty of form and coloring, but especially their simple confidence and gameness, give pigeons an undeniable charm for persons in all stations of life. They have enriched literature, legend, and history, and they provide mankind with food, amusement, and a reliable means of communication. Their record of sheer grit and brilliancy of performance with the Allied troops during the World War is a striking story (see text, page 86). crinoline. Every variety has its distinct characteristics; every bird has its personality. While pigeons have been used in war since the siege of Troy, not until the World War was widespread interest focused on these little feathered soldiers of the air. The modern Racing Pigeon was developed in Belgium, probably in Antwerp, within the last century; but this racing specimen is entirely different from the birds used to carry messages in the olden days. Whatever the earlier varieties of Racing or Homing Pigeons may have been, that now used for racing during times of peace and for communication during periods of war is one of the most marvelous results of selective breeding ac complished by man in any line of naturalistic endeavor. The modern Racing Homer weighs about 16 ounces. It may be blue, blue checker, black checker, black, red, red checker, mealy, silver, dun, and splashes, since it is not bred for color, but for type and racing ability. The best fanciers of Homing Pigeons seldom mate two birds of the same color, since emphasis of color breeding is believed to minimize strength and racing ability. PIGEONS OUTDO FAST TRAINS IN SPEED Racing pigeons are flown successfully from distances of 10 to 1,000 miles; but, as with race horses, different types are used for the various distances. There are sprinters among pigeons, just as among |