THE PIGEON-.TRAP. 
335 
cooing upon tliG roof?, and walking daintily amid tlie pigs and the 
poultry, their snowy white or iridescent plumes gleaming in the sun- 
shine ; pleasant objects to look upon, and not unprofitable to keep. 
But for him who wishes to breed Pigeons systematically, and to 
the greatest advantage, the Pigeon-loft, which can be entered from 
within, and opened and closed at the owner's pleasure, is the thing. 
Eesidents in towns especially should choose a lofty situation for their 
birds, and it should have a sheltered and sunny aspect. No great 
amount of window light is required, except it be for the pleasure of 
Fig. 1. 
I 
the owner ; the birds themselves prefer obscure retreats for their 
home and breeding place ; they can see to feed late after sunset, 
when it is quite dark, and when other domestic birds have retired. 
One of the most important features of the Pigeon loft is the * trap,* 
and nothing can be better for this than a projecting box, an old tea 
chest will answer the purpose, with the sides, top, and bottom quite 
closed in, or made of lattice work, the back opening into the loft, 
and the front consisting of a latticed door, or rather a drawbridge, 
conducting the birds to the open space in which they are to exercise 
their powers of flight. The drawbridge (from which the trap derives 
its use and name) opens at the top, and turns on hinges below; it is 
raised or let down by a string, which should pass through the loft, so 
that it can be drawn up, and the trap, closed by the owner outside, 
or beneath the loft, or in an adjoining chamber, without disturbing 
the birds, after he has ascertained that they have entered the 
apartment. At the opening by which the trap enters the loft, it is 
usual to have pieces of lath hanging vertically, and firmly suspended 
from a wire above, in such a way as to allow the entrance and pre- 
