52 



Fancy Pi. 



8in. wide, and Sin. deep inside. It is divided, diagonally, into two com- 

 partments, eaeh having an inside lid, pierced with holes for ventilation. 

 The birds are placed in it, in opposite directions, and a couple of air holes 

 at the broad end of each compartment are sufficient to give ventilation. 

 The inside lids are an inch below the tops of the sides, which have 

 notches cut in them, so that when the outside lid is shut a free current 

 of air may pass through. The air holes represented in the figure are 

 sufficient, and none should be made in the sides of the box or in the ends 

 where the tails of the birds are to be. What is required is sufficient 

 ventilation to carry off the heat and breath of the birds. When this 

 is not given, they will be taken out of a close box, even in the coldest 



Fig. 9. — Travelling Box for Pigeons. 



winter weather, as wet as if soaked in water. Boxes on the same 

 principle as shown, may be made with any number of divisions, but six 

 are usually the greatest number, for convenience in handling. The 

 size of each compartment may vary, according to the breed they are to 

 be used for, but they should always be made no larger than required, for 

 when a bird has the least extra room, it is apt to turn, or attempt 

 to turn, when its plumage often gets much damaged. 



Baskets are made exactly on the same principle as the boxes described, 

 and are, I think, preferable on the whole. Wlien divided into compart- 

 ments by sailcloth or strong canvas, they form very good packages for 

 pigeons, (jood oblong baskets, measuring about 20in. by 12in., such as 



