6 



THE PRACTICAL PIGEOIf KEEPER. 



service from all time. Where the top rooms of a house are 

 ceiled over, there is generally a good space left between the top 

 ceiling and the actual roof; and when this is accessible it can 

 readily be made a home for the pigeon?. First of all, a good 

 tight floor — tight and close, however thin — must be laid over 

 the rafters. This, and a window, and ready access, are the 



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Fig. 2. — Loft on a House. 



A, Loft inside root. I c c. Shelves. 



B B, Aviary, or fliglit, enclosed with netting. I d, Bath. 



great points ; with them and decently good management vermin 

 need not be feared : but where the loft is left dark, rough, and 

 unfioored, to collect filth unseen for weeks together, it need not 

 be wondered at should there be annoyance. A smooth floor 

 that can be well scraped, and light to scrape it by, easily pre- 

 vents all this, and disinfectants will do the rest. Such literal 

 " lofts " have been most usually used for flying pigeons, which, 

 of course, only further need a proper entrance, such as will be 

 hereafter described j and where fancy pigeons are kept in them, 



