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for use with birds of quiet disposition, because they quickly learn to 

 use it, it does not ever injure or alarm them, it permits the attendant 

 to slip his hand into the nest without opening the door and thus 

 quickly ascertain whether or not the hen has laid, and it affords ample 

 ventilation. This type of door is not the best to use with nervous 

 birds, as they are likely to stick their heads out between the wings 

 of the door, and in their efforts to escape, break the eggs. 



Prof. Stoneburn says: "For birds of this class, we are inclined to 

 use a door of approximately the same size, consisting of a frame over 

 which small mesh wire has been tacked. I like the wire door better 

 than a solid w r ooden door, because of the fact that it affords ample 

 ventilation, the lack of which is one of the glaring faults of the aver- 

 age trap nest." 



The door is hung on screw eyes. The screw eyes are placed in 

 the upper corners of the door, and screws are passed through them 

 into the sides of the nest box. This makes a cheap hinge, and per- 

 mits the door to swing freely in all directions without friction. By 

 tightening and loosening the screws as needed, the door can be ad- 

 justed in such a way that it cannot possibly touch either side of the 

 nest box, which might interfere with its free action. 



The door is checked by means of screw hooks. These screw hooks 

 are made by bending down ordinary hooks of the proper size, and for 

 purposes of this kind, they beat buttons. A button will work loose 

 and turn, but one of these hooks will stay where you put it. 



The trigger can be attached to the side of the nest box by using 

 a nail or a long screw, but in every case must work freely. The nail 

 or screw must be set squarely into the side of the box to absolutely 

 prevent the trigger from binding against the side. Free action of the 

 trigger is positively required. 



The trigger must be set in such a position that when the door is 

 swung inward and rests on the notch, it will be invitingly open and 

 at the same time this opening must be small enough to prevent the 

 hen walking into the nest without touching the door with her back. 

 As she steps into the nest and slightly raises the door, the trigger is 

 released and falls backward. The door then swings down and the 

 pointed end of the trigger rises behind it, effectually locking it. 



For nesting material use planer shavings, sawdust, or similar fine 

 material. Long hay or straw may eventually get piled up in such a 

 manner as to interfere with the action of the trigger. To remove the 

 hen, simply turn the screw hook and swing the door outward, or, if 

 you prefer, turn down the point of the trigger and swing the door 

 backward toward the top of the nest, thus permitting the bird to 

 come out that way. Of course the nest can be set in a partition with 

 a back door through which the hen may be removed. 



It is necessary to drive a nail into the side of the box, or tack on 

 a small block in such a manner as to check the falling trigger, when 

 the sharp end rises to a point where it safely locks the door. 



