FIXED NESTS. 



65 



would, upon the whole, prefer fixed nests ; 

 which should, however, be frequently white- 

 washed, and the hay or straw removed every 

 two or three weeks. 



An ingenious plan for fixed nests has late- 

 ly been contrived in Connecticut, which 

 I have tried with complete success. Hens 

 are well known to be anxious to deposite 

 their eggs in secluded places. The secret 

 nests here alluded to are well adapted to 

 satisfy this propensity. They are made 

 thus : Place a platform of boards, two feet 

 wide, and say ten feet 

 long (though it may be 

 made of any length), 

 against a building or 

 a close board fence, 

 about three feet from 

 the ground. Along 

 the outer edge of this 

 platform nail a board 

 lengthwise and up- 

 right, about twelve inches high ; leave a 

 space open in the middle and at each end 

 eight or nine inches wide, and divide the 



Fig. 3. 





Fig. 4. 



