t-lGKONS THAT HAVE FREE RANGE 261 



the ground, high enough to prevent chickens from flying to it 

 and then throw the pigeon feed on this platform. They will 

 soon Learn their feeding place and the time of day to expect 

 it, also the person that does the feeding. In a short time they 

 will become very tame and can be trained to light on your 

 shoulder, eat out of your hand, etc. 



Watering Pigeons That Fly Out 



All pigeons drink lots of watsr, which is a very necessary 

 part of their diet. A convenient place should be provided for 

 birds that fly out to drink at any time of the day they might 

 desire. This will also have a tendency to keep birds from stray- 

 ing away and often cause stray birds in the neighborhood to 

 establish their permanent residence with you. 



During freezing weather it is advisable to furnish a supply 

 of water about twice a day, which should be done about the 

 same hour each day. The birds will soon learn the hour that 

 they can get a drink and will be on hand at that time. 



HOW TO CONSTRUCT NESTING PLACES FOR 

 PIGEONS THAT FLY OUT 



The old-fashioned idea of a box on top of a pole is most gen- 

 erally adopted by people who keep barnyard or common pig- 

 eons. These outdoor houses are invariably made with little 

 protection from the heat or cold. They cannot be cleaned and 

 are not readily accessible. About the only virtue to the martin 

 box idea is the fact that cats, weazels and other animals cannot 

 easily get to the birds. 



The best arrangement that I know of for birds that fly out is 

 to assign them a place in a corner of a loft or some suitable 

 building, put in a double nest system and make same arrange- 

 ments as you would for birds that are kept in fly pens. Then 

 arrange an opening for the birds to pass in and out, high enough 

 up and in a way that cats and other animals cannot get into 

 the lofts. 



Another good plan is to build one or more rows of double 

 nests under the eaves of a barn or outbuilding, using the double 

 nest described herein with removable bottoms and short running 



