834 
THE PIGEON -HOUSE. 
domestic and wild state, we may name the Blue Eock and Collared 
Turtle Doves ; the Dove House, and Indian Eock Pigeons. Of those 
which are not capable of true domestication, the Passenger, the 
Bronze-winged, the Long-tailed Senegal and the Harlequin Pigeons. 
THE PIGEON-HOUSE. 
A flour barrel, or moderately-sized cask of any kind, fixed at the 
end of a tall stout pole, will do extremely well for the habitation of 
ten or a dozen pigeons. It should be divided into as many compart- 
ments as there are pairs of the birds ; each with its separate opening, 
with a sill to step out on, and a tin hood over the top to keep out the 
weather. The pole, of course, must be fixed firmly in the ground, 
and the barrel fastened securely on the top, with cross pieces to 
support it. Up the pole, at intervals, should be nailed projecting 
places, on which the feet can rest, when it is desirable to climb to 
the airy chambers for the purpose of taking eggs, or squabs, as the 
young birds are called ; and a stout rope, or pair of ropes, should go 
from top to bottom, for the hand to grasp. Such a pigeon-house is 
secure from the depredation of cats, weasels, &c. A tea, or other 
good-sized chest, v/ould answer the purpose as well as a barrel ; but 
the latter is named as the readiest thing, which may be obtained of 
the requisite size, and not expensive. 
The best Pigeon House, of course, is one made expressly for the 
purpose — about square, with a shelving roof. Here the compart- 
ments can be made sufficiently wide and high ; say a foot and a half, 
or even two feet each way. The latter is a comfortable chamber for 
the pair of cooers. The house may be, as it often is, fixed against a 
wall, well up out of reach. It should, if possible, have a southern 
aspect; and the front, with its openings to the several chambers, 
should stand in a foot or so from the sides, top and bottom. But 
those who intend to breed Pigeons in a large way for fancy, or pur- 
poses of profit, must have a more commodious habitation. A spare 
room at the top of the house, or a loft over a stable, is best for the 
purpose ; and in this must be placed hutches, or coops, for the breeding 
pairs, which, if not kept separate, will be liable to constant molestation 
from the others, becoming unsteady, and causing loss of eggs and stock. 
Very substantial, and often highly ornamental dove-cotes, may be 
seen attached to country mansions and old farm houses ; some of 
them divided into compartments, and furnished with all proper 
means and requisites ; but, more commonly, the whole house is l3ut 
a small roomy apartment, where the inmates form one community, 
quarrelling and fighting, making love and breeding, in a very indis- 
criminate manner ; and this, no doubt, may answer the purpose of 
the owner. They increase and multiply, produce plenty of eggs and 
tender squabs for the table, give no trouble, and cost little to feed ; for 
they pick up their food during a good part of the year in the field and 
the farm-yard, looking always happy and beautiful, strutting and 
