THE CONFESSIONS OF A FANCIER. 45 



of evil companions. I asked him to build me a 

 larger place. After undergoing a mild course of 

 intermittent coaxing and teasing he consented. 

 A vast and aristocratic brick structure, 10 feet by 

 6 feet, quickly arose on the site of the ancient 

 wooden shed, supplemented by ample outer 

 aviaries formed of wire-netting. How the birds 

 did enjoy their new quarters ! They had more 

 light, more liberty, more playground, and I en- 

 joyed it as much as they did. I fixed the nests 

 and perches, and did the whole of the carpenter- 

 ing myself, and entered into no other amusement 

 until I could pronounce the job to be done in a 

 good and workmanlike manner. 



My father, with smiling countenance, fre- 

 quently dropped in to inspect progress as a sort 

 of clerk of the works, and offer gratuitous sug- 

 gestions. But he was uninitiated — he knew 

 not the four points of a Baldhead ; what could 

 he understand about the construction of a pigeon- 

 house ? Occasionally he brought a pair of birds 

 home for a present. I did not inquire the cost 

 of them. He was kind. I loved him for it, and 

 thankfully accepted his gifts. Yes, I have much 

 to thank him for; he did much to keep me 

 straight in life. Besides encouraging me in 

 pigeon - keeping, he diplomatically executed 



