PIGEON-HOUSES. 



175 





with boxes for the birds (a), Fi 10 - 



and the exterior, east and 



west sides, with balconies or 



sills for them to alight on and 



enter their boxes. The north 



and south sides are lined with 



boxes inside, but without 



openings, as being too warm 



on one side and too cold on 



the other. This is the com- 



mon form used in France, and the bottom 



should be elevated from eight to fifteen feet 



from the ground. It may be rendered a 



tasteful and highly ornamental object. 



The pigeon is monogamous, that is, the 

 male attaches himself exclusively to one fe- 

 male, and this attachment is reciprocal. For 

 this reason, each pair requires two holes or 

 nests about eighteen inches wide, separated 

 by a low partition, and carefully closed up 

 from the others. This is obviously required, 

 for when the young are a fortnight or three 

 weeks old, a good hen pigeon will leave 

 them to the care of the cock, and commence 

 laying and setting again. The door at one 



