The Pigeon House, Loft, and Aviary. 25 



weeka old, and join their sitting parent, no bad result will follow ; they 

 will not injure the eggs ; they will be much warmer at night ; and by 

 the time their successors are hatched, their parents will have driven them 

 out, being about five weeks old, able to fiy and to do for themselves. Such 

 a pair of nests may be multiplied according to the wishes of the pigeon 

 keeper. The roof of the whole must always have sufficient slope to 

 carry off the rain, and should be in one piece, as wood 17in. wide can 

 easily be got. 



No one who is really interested in his pigeons will long continue to keep 

 them in wall lockers if he can by any means avoid it, and some vacant 

 building, shed, or loft, will be appropriated for the purpose. Such a 

 place a fancier ought, with the assistance of a few carpenter's tools, to 

 be able to fit up himself. Cat and rat proof he must have it, and mouse 

 proof also, if possible, for while the former will destroy the birds them- 

 selves, the latter spoil their food. 



The great majority of fancy pigeons may be allowed their liberty in the 

 open air, with safety to their lives and positive advantage to their health, 

 but choice pouters, carriers, short-faced tumblers, jacobins or fantails, 

 are not so able to take care of themselves. Still, it is surprising how 

 wary even such varieties as these become, if flown from their squeaker- 

 hood. In granting them their liberty, however, which must only be 

 occasional, according to the weather, the owner must be entirely guided 

 by circumstances, such as the surroundings of his place and the special 

 character of each bird. There must always be a certain amount of risk 

 encountered, and it is for the owner to consider whether the advantages 

 to be gained will outweigh it. Choice pigeons no doubt live a long time 

 in close confinement, when treated with reasonable and ordinary care, 

 for many have no other means of keeping them. If occasional entire 

 liberty cannot be given them, an open air flight, inclosed by wire netting, 

 will be of great advantage. This should always be roofed in, and only 

 open to the less exposed aspects. The larger it can be made the better ; 

 but even a very small open air flight will materially assist in keeping the 

 birds in good health. When pigeons are kept in a room or loft, with 

 no outside liberty, an opening, covered with wire netting, for the ad- 

 mittance of light and air, should be provided. It should face the south, 

 to admit the sunlight, and have a wide board adjoining for the birds to 

 rest on. The most domineering of them will monopolise this place as 



