12 THE PIGEON BOOK 



in Club Row, as cock and hen, and which turned out 

 two hens, and, though they apparently mated together 

 and seemed perfectly happy, eventually laid four eggs — 

 a pair each — which never hatched. 



It is, of course, useless and out of the question to think 

 of breeding prize-winners under such unsuitable condi- 

 tions as wall-boxes and locker-holes. The beginner whose 

 ambition is to figure amongst prize-winners in the 

 exhibition world, or in the racing world, will most 

 assuredly fail unless his birds are well housed and well 

 cared for. 



I have, therefore, given illustrations of some useful 

 lofts, both for racing birds and for breeding the fancy 

 varieties for exhibition purposes. 



Most pigeons can be allowed their liberty if it is given 

 them early in life, but in the case of many of the merely 

 fancy birds it is not customary to give them their liberty. 

 They are kept in aviaries with the breeding loft in the 

 rear and a flight in front. 



Opinions differ as to whether the flight should be 

 partially roofed. Pigeons delight in plenty of sun, but 

 at the same time a damp loft and continually damp flight 

 are fatal to success. 



Convenience, of course, has often to be studied as to 

 the direction in which the loft should face. The very 

 best direction is S.S.E. Northerly or easterly directions 

 are bad, as the cold winds will retard the growth of the 

 youngsters in the spring, and westerly directions are also 

 to be avoided, as we get very strong winds from those 

 quarters, and if accompanied with rain, it saturates the 

 floor of the loft. 



A S.S.E. direction has many advantages, the birds 

 getting the benefit of the early sunrise and less cold or 

 moisture. 



