HOUSES. 267 



after supplying their own great demand, the 

 exportation of it to England forms one of the 

 principal sources of wealth. 



Before concluding, it may be necessary to state 

 how those who are tempted to take up my hobby 

 should proceed in erecting suitable and economi- 

 cal habitations for their poultry. The simplest, 

 and I think best, house is that made of wood, 

 well secured from damp by felt covering on the 

 roof. This house may be built against a wall — 

 which wiU reduce the cost considerably — and if 

 possible facing south or south-west. There must 

 be a door with lock and key, and a trap a foot 

 and a half square made with sliding panel for 

 the egress and ingress of the fowls at plea- 

 sure, and also for shutting them in at night ; a 

 few nests provided (either boxes or baskets), and 

 a movable perch not higher than two feet from 

 the ground. The great advantage of the mov- 

 able perch over all others is, that it confines the 

 fowls to any desired spot in the house, thereby 



