54 
The I llustrated Book of Pigeons. 
For another excellent plan of a Carrier loft, shown in Figs. 27, 28, 29, 30, we are again indebted 
to Mr. Matthew Stuart, of Glasgow. This building is intended to be erected against a garden wall, 
and to have a southern exposure. The plan as here given shows six breeding compartments, but 
could of course be either extended or diminished according to the requirements or pecuniary means 
of the fancier. There is also a spare compartment at one end for keeping food, &c., which should 
be furnished with a good food-chest in three or more compartments, and lined with tin or zinc 
to keep away mice and rats. There is also a large table in this compartment, on which to place a 
“ show ” pen, or to perform any necessary operations. Each of the other six compartments is 
divided into an inner and an outer apartment, the size of each being 6x4 feet- These are 
divided from each other by a partition of wood with a glass door in each, which keeps the birds 
warm and comfortable in wet weather, and yet affords light and heat. In regard to the partitions 
between the six pens, one half of the section represents this as formed of solid wood, the other 
of wire-work. Either may be adopted, the wood being of course warmest ; but we consider the 
wire preferable, as where it is adopted the owner can see all the interior and all the birds 
almost at a glance. All the doors should be made with an India-rubber spring, so as to open 
and shut both ways. 
The foundation of such a house should be concrete or asphalte, the latter being best, as it will 
entirely keep away rats. There is ventilation at the back, through the wall, which can be open 
and shut at pleasure. And the dotted line in the plan, and a in the cross section, show a stream or 
run of water through the whole house, just inside the inner flight, which, where it can be managed, 
will add greatly to the comfort and health of the birds. Where it is adopted this water-run 
should be raised about two and a half inches above the floor, to prevent dust and dirt getting into 
it, and should be covered with a piece of wood neatly fitted just at the doors, where the birds pass 
over. In each of the six compartments three pairs of Carriers may be kept, and if the fancier can 
afford to keep only two, or even one pair in each, so much the better. If more length of outer 
flight can be added, so much the better also, as nothing keeps the birds in health more than a good 
fly, especially while young and growing. The inside compartments should be match-boarded, so 
as to keep warm and free from draughts, as many good birds have lost their sight entirely from 
perching for the night near a comparatively slight current of air. 
Many, probably, will be inclined to pooh-pooh such plans as we have here given, and to boast 
how they have kept their pigeons in a place “ which only cost them” so-and-so. We are not in the 
least arguing that these or any other plans must be adopted to keep Carriers successfully ; and we 
know full well that poor mechanics, with almost no accommodation, have kept them with. credit. 
Care will do wonders ; and, as we have before said, where only few birds are kept, this of itself 
takes the place of nearly all our other precautions. But we do say that the dangers and difficulties 
we have pointed out are real ones, which have to be encountered by the Carrier fancier, and the 
means of doing which we have therefore endeavoured to point out. It is wisdom to guard against 
them, and thus avoid trouble; and some of those who boast what common places they keep their 
birds in, would find, as a matter of simple calculation, that the price of two or three of the really 
good ones they have lost by keeping their Carriers as if ordinary pigeons, would have more than 
covered the cost of proper accommodation ; while it would have also enabled them to show their 
other birds in better trim. 
With regard to the general management of Carriers, it is only needful to add that they rank 
among the pigeons known as “ bad feeders,” so that the owner requires a proportionate staff of 
feeders or nurses. On account of their size, the best nurses are the stronger pigeons, such as 
flying Antwerps or common Dragoons. We have known cases where the birds were flown, in 
