30 THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



There are various patterns of these, but most of them resemble 

 one or other of the patterns shown in Fig. 15, and the exact 

 shape is really not very material. They should not, however, be 

 too deep, or the parents will find a difficulty in getting gently 

 on to the eggs. They are usually to be had at pigeon-shops in 

 large towns, but if unobtainable in this way, a few dozens can 

 always be ordered at the nearest pottery. They should be 

 made thick and heavy, so that they will not overturn with the 

 weight of a pigeon on the edge ; and the size across will vary 

 from seven inches for small pigeons up to ten or eleven inches 

 for Carriers and Pouters. The large sizes are better made 

 rather shallow in proportion. Common unglazed red ware is 



Fig. 15. 



the usual material. In these nest-pans should be placed coarse 

 pine sawdust, an inch deep such sawdust as emits a strong 

 odour of turpentine is what we mean. If this cannot be 

 obtained, any coarse sawdust may be made to do by sprinkling 

 a little turpentine upon it, and kneading well with the hands so 

 as to spread the spirit evenly through ; but fine dust is objec- 

 tionable, and liable to get in the eyes of both young and old 

 birds. The advantage of this material is a thorough immunity 

 from insect vermin. Similar sawdust should be laid thickly on 

 the floor of the loft, and will keep all clean and tidy. If laid 

 thinly it will blow up by the action of the wings, but this is 

 not the case if laid down an inch deep. The droppings can be 

 raked off once or twice a week, and the whole renewed, say, 

 once a month. If this plan is pursued there will hardly. ever 

 be occasion for complaint or annoyance. 



