The Feather's Practical Pigeon Book 



of perches, are easily moved for cleaning, and as they 

 accommodate but one pigeon prevent quarrelling. 



To every loft such as I have just described there 

 should be an outside area or "fly" attached for the pur- 

 pose of giving your birds, when confined, a place to sun 

 and air themselves. This can be located immediately in 

 front of your windows, or to one , side as convenient, 

 but should, like the windows, be on the sunny side 

 of the house. It can be made as large as you 

 deem advisable, and should have perches distributed 

 about, such as are described for use in the loft. Cover 

 it with two-inch mesh wire on sides and top, having 

 the bottom or platform of wood made tight. If you in- 

 tend permitting the birds perfect liberty after a time, to 

 go and come as they please, you will need to construct 

 a falling door, either on one side or the front. This can 

 be hung on hinges and controlled by a rope and pulleys, 

 so as to be lowered and raised at will. This door need 

 not be over 8 inches wide and 2 feet long, unless you 

 desire it. Two pieces should project from the platform 

 for it to rest on when down, and in this form it will an- 

 swer as an alighting-board for pigeons returning to 

 the loft. 



There should also be two or three sets of what are 

 known as bolting-wires. At some place in the area cut 

 the wire away and insert a board 2 feet long and 8 

 inches wide. In this board cut three holes 4 inches 

 wide and 5 inches high, rounded at the top. Project from 

 these holes an alighting-strip 4 inches wide and 8 inches 

 long, fastening one end to the platform of the area. 

 Take a round stick i inch in diameter (an old broom- 

 handle will answer), saw this into pieces 3I/2 Jnches 

 long. ' Bore a hole J4 of an inch deep in the middle of 

 the stick, and an inch each way bore other holes of 



