wo < >D] DE I YCES FO R OBSER VAT] OX I. V NA TURE- STUDY 139 



grounds. Being so conveniently situated, they learn much about ani- 

 mal life without directed effort, and interest is awakened in observa- 

 tion of other birds in their wild state. 



This cage is thirty-six feet long, eighteen feet wide, and twelve 

 feet high. It is built in a niche in the wall of the building, which wall 

 furnishes one side and parts of two other sides of the cage. The ex- 

 posed portions are covered with a wire-netting. In a corner most 

 protected from the wind, a portion of the roof eight feet square is 

 covered with boards. Under this covering are roosts and a glass 

 house in which are many suitable perches and resting places. There 

 is also a little house nearer the ground in which large birds may stay, 

 and under it is a space for squirrels and chipmunks. The bottom of 

 the cage is made mice and rat proof by sinking boards one foot wide 

 and encasing them in cement. These boards are carried around the 

 whole cage. A sink furnished with running water and large enough 

 to admit of some forms of water life is sunk into the ground; this is a 

 suitable place for water birds to swim. Bathing basins for the smaller 

 birds are conveniently arranged about the cage floor. Grass covers 

 the greater portion of the floor, with here and there sand and dust 

 spots. 



Plants of various kinds are grown to afford the birds shade and 

 protection from the hot sun. Most of the plants are deciduous, in 

 order that the required amount of sun may be procured during the 

 winter. 



Two kinds of seeds are needed for the birds. To protect the small 

 seed from disturbance by the coarse seed eaters, a little platform, about 

 two feet from the ground is covered with a wire-netting house, into 

 which open four doors, one on each side, just large enough for the 

 largest of the small birds to enter and feed. 



Boxes and such devices as are considered best for nests are dis- 

 tributed about in suitable places, and during mating season, bits of 

 string, paper, grass and feathers are scattered on the ground that the 

 birds may have material with which to-build natural nests. 



Hens, peacocks, coots, wild ducks, pheasants, etc., in their season 

 of study, are allowed their freedom in this cage for a time. Only 

 such birds are kept here permanently as have been raised in captivity. 

 It is of course necessary to study the habits of birds and other ani- 

 mals in order to know which may be kept in the same cage without 

 danger of the weaker being injured. 



