soon as they were separated Billy found that the little one was
Arnaux and the big one was the Corner-box Blue. Arnaux had made a
good fight, but was overmatched, for the Big Blue was half as
heavy again.

Soon it was very clear what they had fought over--a pretty little
lady Pigeon of the bluest Homing blood. The Big Blue cock had
kept up a state of bad feeling by his bullying, but it was the
Little Lady that had made them close in mortal combat. Billy had
no authority to wring the Big Blue's neck, but he interfered as
far as he could in behalf of his favorite Arnaux.

Pigeon marriages are arranged somewhat like those of mankind.
Propinquity is the first thing: force the pair together for a
time and let nature take its course. So Billy locked Arnaux and
the Little Lady up together in a separate apartment for two
weeks, and to make doubly sure he locked Big Blue up with an
Available Lady in another apartment for two weeks.

Things turned out just as was expected. The Little Lady
surrendered to Arnaux and the Available Lady to the Big Blue. Two
nests were begun and everything shaped for a "lived happily ever
after." But the Big Blue was very big and handsome. He could blow
out his crop and strut in the sun and make rainbows
all round his neck in a way that might turn the heart of the
staidest Homerine.

Arnaux, though sturdily built, was small and except for his
brilliant eyes, not especially good-looking. Moreover, he was
often away on important business, and the Big Blue had nothing to