34 NaUonal Standard Squab Book. 



Ihiw 1. 'I'hf iiest-lHiwl may lie screwed directly onto this removable bottom. 

 ]f .. o\i use euK-cratcs or solid-built iiest-boxes, you will have to give the 

 wood tilire ii('st-li.i\\l stability by screwing it to a liuse of wood seven inclics 

 siiii- re and aim, it t liree-cunirters of an inch thick. 



AVlien the sqaab liouse is ready for the birds, each of the nest-boxes has 

 one of thesi' nest-bowls. The pigeons build their own nests in them, taking 

 the nesting mateiial and flying to the nest-bowl with it. I'lie average nest 

 has from one to two inches of straw compactly and prettily laid by the 

 birds. Some birds use more nesting material than others. After the 

 scjualis are hatched, they (piickly show that Nature never intended them 

 to liave a dirty nest. When they wish to make m.iuure, they back up to 

 the edge of the nest and "shncit" outward and o\'er l!ie edgi' of the nest- 

 bowl into the nest-box, which is just where the l)ree<ler wants to find it. 

 In a week or two tliere will he a circle of solid manure in the nest-box, but 

 it is out of the nest, and olT and aw a.v from the feet of the squabs. As the 

 siiii.-ihs grow (ilder, their claws tread and throw out the straw on wdiieh 

 they were hatched, and the nest-bowl gets bare again as it was in the first 

 place. The small amniint of manure wliii-h then sticks to it is removed 

 with a trowel. 



The use of this wood tilire ncst-lio«l has lightened the work a great deal 

 for they never have to lie washed. We d<i not whitewash ours. The work 

 of Avhitewasliiiig takes time, and we have not found it essential. 



The pigeons will not take with mathematical regularity pair by pair the 

 nest-boxes which you have provided. Some of them will take them in 

 paii-s. line ad.ioining the other. This nmkes it very convenient for you in 

 keeiiing track of them. Others will take one nest-box in one part of the 

 squall linnsr but go to another part of the sipuib house for their second 

 nest. Some will not take a nest-box at all, liut will build a rough uest on 

 tlie liiior of the siiuab house and rear their family there. I.et tliein choose 

 fnr llieiiiselves. 



The nests are built by the birds of hay, straw and grass. The birds Hy 

 to the pile, select w hat wisps they want, then fly to the ne.st-boxes and ar- 

 range the wisps in a nappy to suit themselves. Tobacco stems are recom- 

 mended for nesting material, because the odor from them will have a teud- 

 {■ncy to drive away lice, but they are not necessary it' the nappies are used 

 and ordinar.A* ideanliness obser\'ed. 



The best thing tii keep the nesting nniterial in is a berry crate. Fill it 

 with sli-aw and hay (use the fine oat, not rye straw, cut into six inch 

 lengths) and shut down the cover. Then vrhen the birds want nesting ma- 

 terial they will fly lo the vertical openings in the sides of the berry crates, 

 stick their bills in and make their selection. The cover of the berry crate 

 prevents the birds from soiling the nesting material. They will not build 

 nests with dirty nesting material. It must be first-class, clean, dry and 

 sweet or they will not use it. 



