55 



fastens itself in place by its lower edge striking the light end of 

 a wooden latch or lever, pressing it down and slipping over it; 

 the lever immediately coming back into place and locking the door. 

 The latch is five inches long, one inch wide and a half inch thick, 

 and is fastened loosely one inch from its center to the side of the 

 box, so that the outer end is just inside the door when it is closed. 

 The latch acts quickly enough to catch the door before it 

 rebounds. It was feared that the noise arising from the closing 

 of the door might startle the hens, so instead of wooden stops 

 pieces of old rubber belting were nailed at the outside entrances 

 for the door to strike against. 



"The double box with nest in the rear end is necessary, as 

 when a bird has laid and desires to leave the nest, she steps to the 

 front and remains there until released. With one section only, 

 she would be likely to crush the egg by standing upon it." 



Nest Boxes in Position. 



