Pigeon Capers - 2

Once the pigeon brigade are through with the juvaar, they hope on to the liquid part of their ritual.....the builder has very considerately provided a tap on the terrace under which I keep a small plastic bucket, always filled. The pigeons will take turns to hop onto the bucket edge and dip their heads into the bucket and daintily sip water.......Once in a while I keep the tap dripping just a little, and they will stand directly under the tap so that the water falls on their feathers....once they have been 'watered' adequately, they will spread out on the terrace, flattening themselves on the floor, pecking their feathers continously, drying and cleaning themselves parallely.....there's a system to their actions..which is evident only if you see them for a long enough time regularly.....and though it's been almost 8 months now, I still don't get tired of seeing their daily rituals.....
The best part is their standing in line...the bucket is small and can only take two or three pigeons at a time, the rest will hang around waiting for their turn......just like people at an ATM.....