Kccpi)ig and Feeding Hardbills. 



83 



We next reach the question of size. What is to be our 

 guide? Not the size, but demeanour of the bird. The 

 smallest species known, owing to its restless activity, may 

 require as large a cage as is usually provided for a bird four 

 or five times its size; for deprived of the space to indulge in 

 the exercise of its unceasing vivacity and activity it soon 

 becomes mopish, ill-conditioned, and falls an easy prey to any 

 ailment that attacks it, or to any malignant germ it comes in 

 ccntact with. 



I do not keep birds in any cage smaller than 3oins. long, 

 I5ins. deep, and 15 to i8ins. high, when, keep birds in cages I 

 nmst. If breeding" is your object then as much larger as your 



convenience permits — the 

 diagram herewith figures a 

 cage I have found really a 

 good one, though I keep 

 very few birds in cages. Mr. 

 E.J. Brook had a number of 

 them in his bird-room, and 

 found them equally useful 

 and good looking (hand- 

 some). 



I do not like straight 

 picrches and never use them, tivigy branches for me every time. 

 A couple of bottomless sockets fixed at either end of the cage 

 erables one to put in twigy branches and take them out at will. 

 \ our birds' claws get twigs of varied thickness to grip, just the 

 e-\ercise the muscles of their feet require, and sore feet 

 are a thing unknown. I like the food vessels afifixed to a small 

 dcor, to which a side piece is attached, so that as the door is 

 fully opened the " side piece '' closes up the door opening. 

 The type of nest receptacle required should in like manner have 

 a hook of some kind provided for it so that it can be put up and 

 tf-ken down without any undue disturbance. 



Such a cage will cost, perhaps, a little more than some of 

 tlie very ornate contraptions one is so often offered. Granted, 

 but you will have a cage infinitely more useful, thoroughly 

 practical and hygienic, that will compare favourably in appear- 

 ance with any cage made, and one in which any thinking 

 bird-keeper can keep his birds healthy and fit. And we have no 



We next come to the furnishings- 



