PKrEOXS AXD ALL ABOUT THEM. 11 



THE LOFT. 



THE loft should be built before a single bird is purchased, 

 and the owner should be governed, first, by the extent of 

 his means, and then by the number and kind of birds 

 he intends keeping. The same rule of loft position does not 

 hold good all over this country. In the Xorthem and middle 

 states the loft should always face the South if possible, but 

 in the Southern states where shade is more of an object than 

 sunshine, the reverse should be the rule. To breed pigeons 

 right, no gable roof will do. It cannot be ventilated, is hot in 

 summer, humid in wet weather, and is necessarily contracted. 

 Again it is hard of access, and one loses the pleasure of 

 entertaining his friends in it. Still a gable roof will do if 

 nothing better can be found, for it needs only a floor and a 

 back wall to transform it into a loft. It is far better than 

 boxes nailed to the outside of a building, or what is known 

 as the old dove-cote, which is simply a lot of cramped boxes 

 put up on a pole. A pretty dove-cote looks very nice as a 

 yard ornament, but is impractical as a pigeon house. There 

 is no chance to mate for results; no chance to handle the 

 birds and no chance to keep out "strays' save to shoot 



them. 



THE GABLE LOFT. 



If one can do no better, he can utilize the gable of his 

 barn as follows. First, build a tight floor reaching clear 

 across from the eaves, taking care that there is not a crack 

 in it. Cut the number of holes necessary in the end of the 

 barn; if possible cut a small ventilating window in the upper 

 part. It is best to have about three entrance holes as an 

 aggressive cock bird is apt to stand at a single hole and keep 

 other birds out or in. Do not be satisfied to simply put the 

 birds in, and let them nest as best they may under the eaves, 

 but make regular tiers of open boxes on either side and 



