42 



PIGEONS. 



that the cocks arid hens can be let out separately, and they may be given their 

 liberty on alternate days. 



If the birds are flown, ingress and egress to and from the loft should take 

 place through a cage, technically termed an area, Figure YII. This should be 

 fixed outside a window on a platform, which is usually supported by oblique struts. 

 This area may either be constructed of laths or wires, and should have a falling 

 door, to which is attached a string capable of being pulled from the inside, so as to 

 close the entrance. It not unfrequently happens that some birds may be shut out 

 when the door is pulled up ; and in order to give these free access to the loft when the 

 area is shut, two contrivances are used. One or more square holes, called dropping 

 holes, are constructed in the top of the area, through which the pigeons can readily 

 pass into the area, but out of which they cannot possibly emerge : the other is 

 spoken of as the bolting wire, Figure VIII. An aperture is left in the side of the 

 area : at its upper part is fixed a small roller, turning on a wire which passes through 

 it, and into the stout laths that are on either side. From this roller hang two wires, 

 placed nearly two inches apart, so as to give a pigeon space to put his head and 

 neck through : these are quite unattached at the bottom, so that the bird pushing 

 from the outside raises them and gains an easy entrance. 



But the exit of birds from the interior is prevented by the wires resting against 

 a small beading or piece of wood below, which hinders their being pushed out- 

 wards. 



These two simple contrivances are of great service; they prevent birds being shut 

 out at night when they would often fall an easy prey to cats, give them at any time 



FIG. vni. — ARRANGEMENT OF BOLTIXG WIRES FOR AREA. 



free access to the loft, and save the owner from much anxiety and trouble. The 

 birds learn to avail themselves of these means of ingress with the utmost 

 readiness. 



The furniture of the loft must now claim our attention. Not the least important, 

 especially if many birds are kept together, are the breeding-places or nesting- 

 boxes. These are of two kinds ; in rooms that are rather crowded, shelves are 



