14 



THE PIGEON BOOK 



I like roomy and comfortable nest-boxes : 2ft. wide, 

 i8in. high, and i8in. deep is a nice size, with a shelf at 

 the back gin. wide, in order that sitting birds can go 

 to nest on this shelf with a second pair of eggs, whilst 

 the youngsters from the prior nest are on the floor of the 

 nest-box ; for most varieties of pigeons are prolific 

 breeders, and will often lay a second pair of eggs at the 

 time when the young are from three to three-and-a-half 

 weeks old. 



Here is shown a very simple nest-box, just a square 

 box with a hole in it, and a lid that allows the owner 



A USEFUL NEST BOX. 



to lift the nest-pans out or give an eye to the sitting 

 birds if he desires. 



Whatever description of nest-box is used in the loft 

 it is most essential that the interior should be thoroughly 

 get-at-able, otherwise vermin will speedily over-run the 

 birds and ruin all chances of success with them. 



It is a good plan to have the nest-boxes made with a 

 movable front, in order to shut up any particular pairs of 

 birds desired. Such fronts can be obtained in almost 

 any sizes, ready made from the various dealers, or a 



