Print Size: 8 1/2" x 11" (Frame Size: 16" x 20") Designer: Jean Desbouvrie
Elevation, section and plan of a "hirondellier militair", or aviary for miliary swallows. In the late 19th century Jean Desbouvrie, an amateur bird trainer, persuaded the French military to test swallows as possible substitutes for messenger pigeons as they fly higher and faster, and are more difficult targets for marksmen and birds of prey. Desbouvrie designed this easy to assemble aviary but never followed through with the required experiments to ensure reliable military communications. Translation of the French building specs that appear at lower right: Because the aviary requires easy dismantling, all carpentry pieces must be braced rather than assembled [with nails]. The hatched parts on the cross-section are to be made of a single piece. Glass windows will be inserted in the component forming the aviary proper (2.80), and the roof thereof, only where the lantern-shaped part is. A ring with a height of approximately 0m30 will be placed at the location indicated on the schematic. Includes two doors of approximately 0m60 made of iron wire mesh and an iron frame."
