38 THE TEAP. (CHAP. II 



into the Pigeon-loft and the front consisting of a latticed 

 door, or rather a drawbridge, conducting the birds to 

 the open space in which they are to exercise their 

 powers of flight. The drawbridge (from which the trap 

 derives its use and name) opens at the top and turns 

 on hinges below. It is raised or let down by a string, 

 which should pass through the loft, so that it can be 

 drawn up, and the trap closed by the owner outside or 

 beneath the loft, or in an adjoining chamber, without 

 disturbing the birds, after he has ascertained, by peep- 

 ing through a chink or aperture, that they have entered 

 their apartment. The peculiar fittings of the trap, as 

 most suitable to the room to which it is attached, are 

 best left to some clever carpenter who is experienced in 

 such work, and do not need further detail here, except 

 to state, that at the opening by which the trap enters 

 the loft, it is usual to have pieces of lath hanging ver- 

 tically and freely suspended from a wire above, in 

 such a way as to allow the entrance and prevent the 

 egress of the birds. These the owner can raise at 

 pleasure. 



The trap here figured is copied from one now in use 

 by Mr. Brown, of St. Margaret's, Norwich. A differ- 

 ence exists between this, and most others, in that only 

 the outer door or drawbridge of this trap is outside the 

 building ; by which means, that gentleman says, there 

 is some convenience gained. The little swinging doors 

 hang on a wire ; they are round, and are broader to- 

 wards the bottom, i. e., long cones, so as to be steadied 

 by their own weight, as in the woodcut. 



The accommodations provided as nesting-places, and 

 their arrangement, must also very much depend upon 

 circumstances. The most important point is, that there 



