14 



all the increase and improvement in buildings having been 

 paid for out of the earnings of the birds themselves. 



Before we go further, let us say that pigeon-breeders do 

 not talk about pigeon houses. A house or room in which 

 pigeons are kept is called a "loft", whether it is on the ground 

 floor or in the peak of a barn. The pigeon house is a loft 

 and the flock of pigeon kept in a loft is called a loft of 

 pigeons. It is just as well to get the proper terms used in 

 the business at first, as pigeon-breeders always use them. 

 To return to our pigeon loft. A loft may be made in the 

 corner of a stable or other outhouse, with a fly outside. We 

 , might explain for the benefit of the beginner that a pigeon 

 "fly" is a wired-inyard, a sort of big cage in which the 

 pigeons can get out in the sun and still be kept within limits. 

 The flies are made by setting up posts about eight feet high 

 and stretching two-inch mesh poultry netting on them. A 

 fly is usually about ten feet wide and from twelve to thirty 

 feet long. This is covered over the top with the same kind 

 of poultry netting that is used on the sides. 



We have seen as good pigeon loft as any one would need 

 made in the loft of a stable, the fly being on the roof. Posts 

 were so set up on the roof that their tops were even with 

 the peak of the roof. This enclosure was then shut in, sides 

 and top, with poultry netting and the birds had a roomy and 

 dry fly which was always clean, as the rains washed the drip- 

 pings oflf the roof at frequent intervals. 



In Chicago, we saw an extensive pigeon loft on the top 

 of a flat-topped building high above the street; and a very 

 well-known squab breeding establishment in a southern 

 state is on top of a big hotel, the owner breeding the squabs, 

 he needs for his hotel in this high-placed situation. ' 



