PIGEONS AND ALL ABOUT TtlEM. 



17 



Again, the absence of perches keeps the birds moving on the 

 floor, where the owner or visitor cau enjoy their pretty ways 



Birds sitting stolidly on i)erches do not show to much more 

 advantage than stuffed liirds. 



There are all sorts of ideas about loft walls and I have tried 

 all kinds and am firm in the lielief that a well jila.stered loft 

 is warmest iu winter, coolest in summer, safer from rats, mice 

 and insects, and certainly cleaner and better looking at all 



Figure 4. 



times than any other. There are no unsightly breaks in it. 

 and a simple coat of whitewash at times keeps it always clean 

 and nice. 



Before leaving the subject of nest boxes I would say that 

 they should l>e as large as space will permit. Nests cannot be 

 too large, provided one has the room. As stated, nests afoot 

 square will do for small birds and eighteen inches for large, 

 but still larger nests are all right, and answer not only for 

 nests but for coops and mating boxes. 



