Housing. 9 



fitted to slide to and fro over a space covered with 

 perforated zinc, close to the roof at either end of the 

 house. The perches in the flight ma\' be fixed to the 

 wall, and the same in the house itself. I am no be- 

 liever in fixed nesting places, and much prefer to use 

 portable boxes; cube sugar boxes make very useful nest 

 boxes, and they can be destroyed at the end of each 

 season. 



HOW M.'VNV D\\'ELI.ERS ? 



The dimensions of such a dwelling nuist be 

 governed by the space at command. I may, how- 

 ever, give some idea of the relation of space and the 

 needs of the birds. A lean-to, such as I have des- 

 cribed, would, if covering say six feet by 50, provide 

 acconnnodation for eight pairs of Tumblers, or other 

 small breeds, or six of Homers, Dragoons, or other 

 large breeds. This would give a house at either end 

 Gft. by 8, and two flights 6ft. by 17. Some would 

 say more should be given. I agree it would be better, 

 but still suburban accommodation has to be considered. 

 One of the two houses would serve as a breeding house, 

 and the other as a nursery for the young birds during 

 the breeding season. Then in the fall when the 

 birds are divided one house will accommodate the 

 cocks and the other the hens. 



WHERE SPACE IS NOT V/\I<U.'\BLE. 



In the country where space is not so valuable I 

 prefer a span roofed house, which may be built of wood, 

 in the same manner as that described for the suburban 

 lean-to, or of brick. If one can afford it, and is an 

 owner and not a tenant, I should ad\'ise brick build- 

 ings in preference to any other. To build a good 

 sized Pigeon house with slate roof is a costly affair, 

 and not one to be taken in hand by the new beginner 

 even if he has the necessary capital. Far better to 

 bide a wee, try your luck in some more unpretentious 

 erection ere launching out into the spending of a lot 

 of good money. Years ago when I was myself turn- 

 ing out winners with a fair amount of regularity, my 

 Pigeon houses were wooden erections, six feet six 

 inclfcs at the eaves, rising to ten feet in the centre 



