Housing. 



21 



say three coats, and given one fresh coat after each 

 autumnal cleansing. 



In the flights the best kind of perch is a long 

 narrow shelf running the whole length of the flight on 

 either side. This shelf should be about 3in. wide, 

 and one inch in thickness. Such a perch may be 

 affixed to the framework of the flic^ht by iron brackets, 

 but should be kept off the wire or the birds' tails may 

 get damaged. 



AN OLD IDE.4. 



Moore's " Columbarium," published in 1735, gives 

 the following on " The Method of Building a Loft " — 

 " A Pigeon Loft ought to be built to the South or 

 South-West, the Sun lying warmest from those 



Nest Box tor Corner Position. 



Quarters; but if you have not that Convenience, you 

 mav make a Hole in the Roof of your House, and there 

 lay j^our Plat-form, smaller or larger as you think 

 proper : A Carpenter that is used to such work will 

 put you in a Method, alwa}'s remembering to erect 

 proper Works to keep off those tormentors of the 

 Gentlemen of the Fancy, the Cats, for in one Night's 

 Time the^' will make a very great Havoc, and are gener- 

 ally observed to destro\' those Pigeons which j^ou most 

 value; so that 'tis better to be at some Charge at 



