234 BIRDS 



fastened in at night. In this case two-inch mesh poultry 

 netting is sufficient to restrain them. The flight should be 

 fitted with perches, so placed as to induce the inmates to 

 take as much exercise as possible. 



Whether the birds are to be confined or are to have their 

 liberty, it is best to accustom them to the use of bob-wires. 

 This is done by placing a wire of medium weight, bent in the 

 form of an inverted U, over the inner side of the hole through 

 which they pass. The wire is fastened at the top with 

 staples, so that it swings easily. A strip of wood is placed 

 at the bottom, so that when pushed against from without 

 the " bob " yields freely but prevents passage in the oppo- 

 site direction. These wires can be raised when the birds are 

 permitted to pass in and out, but when it is desired to con- 

 fine them to the loft they have only to be dropped, when all 

 that enter must remain within. 



Pigeons flying at liberty, if well fed, will seldom leave, 

 the greatest difficulty being in getting them settled. This is 

 best accomplished when the birds have eggs or young, since 

 they will hardly stray at this time. If the hen of a mated 

 pair be confined where the cock can see her, he is not likely 

 to leave the vicinity. If much apprehension is felt, it is a 

 good plan to confine one wing in a sling, in such a manner 

 that it cannot be fully used for flight. After a bird has been 

 on the loft roof for a few days, thus hampered, it may 

 safely be given its liberty. Pigeons of flying breeds, if fully 

 adult, are very difficult to settle, and it is best to keep them 

 confined and liberate only the young. 



The staple food of pigeons consists of various grains. 

 Canada and maple peas, dari, wheat, buckwheat and barley 

 are excellent. Cracked corn is used by many, but it is espe- 

 cially dangerous for pigeons, not only for its fattening 

 qualities, but because it is often unsound before cracking 

 and once broken molds very quickly. The small, hard, flint 



