234 ON THE REARING AND MANAGEMENT 



sun can be made to penetrate into the recesses of their 

 dwelling the better. The access to the nests, from the 

 outside, should be as direct and easy as possible ; and 

 the nests should be free and unconfined, for the pigeon 

 delights in liberty. 



The pigeon being one of that class of birds which 

 is very regardless of the form of its nest, in so far as 

 the comfort of itself or offspring is concerned, it is of 

 much importance to attend to the cleanliness of the 

 nest before the business of incubation is commenced; 

 and, at the same time, to place a little straw therein, 

 both to protect the egg and also the young when hatched. 

 The attendant should be careful to inspect the apart- 

 ment, at least once a-week, early in the forenoon, for 

 the purpose of removing dead birds, eggs which have 

 not been fortunate, or any other nuisance which may 

 have accumulated. The apartment should be kept 

 clean also throughout the year, but more particularly 

 after the spring and autumn flights, to be afterwards 

 explained ; and this operation should be set about 

 quietly and cautiously, in the early part of the fore- 

 noon, while the birds are absent feeding in the fields. 

 Upon this, as well as other points, we cannot do better 

 than quote from a very able book upon this, as well as 

 upon other subjects connected with rural affairs : viz. 



