80 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [14:2— Feb., 1918 



(Q.) Why should leaf stems of tobacco be given the pigeons for 

 nest building material? 



(A.) Because tobacco kills the bird lice. 



Lesson II — A Pigeon Gymnasium or "Fly" 



(Q.) Why do we need a place like this? 



(Ans.) If we keep many pigeons we must give them a chance 

 for exercise, where they may be confined if necessary and yet 

 allowed freedom. 



Make a working drawing of a Fly or Gymnasium for pigeons. 

 This is not necessary if the pigeons are allowed to fly about the 

 country freely; but it is always a good thing to have in case it is 

 desirable to confine the birds. To prepare the ground for the fly, 

 mark out a space in front of the house 8 feet wide, or just the width 

 of the house, and 14 feet long. Take out all the earth for a depth 

 of four inches, and fill the place excavated with clean sand and 

 place at the corners four 2x3 inch hemlock posts, eight feet above 

 ground. These posts should be held in place by 1 x 4 inch boards, 

 nailed to the top and connecting them. One board should be 

 nailed about mid-way the height of the post, and another along the 

 bottom. Space the middle board so that chicken wire four feet 

 wide may be used for the bottom section, and that three feet wide 

 for the upper section. On the inside of the board, at the middle of 

 the post, should be a walking board six inches wide, on which the 

 bird may take exercise. There should be a wire gate at the side 

 and of course the fly should be covered with chicken wire. 



Lesson III — Food for the Pigeons 



(Q). What grain do we ordinarily feed pigeons? 



(Ans.) Red wheat, small Canada peas, buckwheat, hulled oats, 

 Kaffir corn and millet. 



(Q.) Why should we not feed pigeons wheat this year? 



(Ans.) Because wheat is needed to keep alive the starving 

 peoples of Europe. 



(Q.) Why should we feed pigeons neither barley or rye? 



(Ans.) The awns of these grains are likely to choke the birds. 



(Q.) Why should pigeons have access to salt and plenty of fresh 

 water ? 



(Ans.) Both are necessary to their health. 



