Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 91.djvu/276

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��Popular Science Monthly

���Any venturesome flies seeking to enter when the door is opened will be blown away by a blast of air from the fan

Keeping Out Flies When You Open the Door

A DOOR-OPERATED fan which drives away venturesome flies has been brought out by Joel J. Hurt, of South Omaha, Neb. The bracket holding the fan is attached to the door jamb at the top of the door. The gear of the fan en gages the driving gearing mounted on another shaft. This driving-gear shaft car ries a small pulley on its lower end. A flexible cable wound upon this pulley is attached to the door. When the door is opened the unwinding of the ca- ble operates the fan. The gearing is made high so that the fan is whirled rapidly.

An automatic clutch disconnects the fan from the pul- ley when the door is fully opened. Mo- mentum keeps the fan rapidly turning until the door is closed. A strong spring, which was wound up with the opening of the door, causes the door to close automatically.

��If Your Parrot is Thirsty, Give Him a Drink

THERE is a curious superstition ex- istent among parrot-keepers," says L. S. Crandall, in Pets (Henry Holt & Co., New York), "to the effect that these birds not only require no water but are better off without it. The foundation for this absurd belief is not hard to find. When parrots, particularly young birds, are being brought from the tropics, they are custo- marily fed on boiled corn or bread and milk. What moisture they require is ob- tained from the food. If such birds are suddenly given access to unlimited water, the effect on the digestive organs is danger- ous, and may result in the death of the bird. On the other hand, if the parrot be given a drink daily, and then the water be re- moved for a short period, the bird will gradually become accustomed to it. Once this is accomplished, there is nothing to fear from clean water."

���Carrying the temple through the streets of India. During the month of February it is in great demand for wedding celebrations

��An Accommodating Church — It Goes Wherever It Is Wanted

IN India and in some places of the New World, particularly in the British West Indies, many religious festivals are held along the roadside and in the open fields during the month of February, which is the month of weddings and special feastings.

On such occasions the participants in the ceremonies do not go to church. The church comes to them. Ornate struc- tures of papier mache are used for the purpose, and these traveling temples are drawn through the streets and country roads by religious devo- tees, who will stop when called upon and hold a service or deliver prayers for a small sum.

Such temples take a conspicuous part in all parades and religious celebra- tions.

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