FOR CAGES AND AVIARIES. 169 



This bird is a natural mimic, and even in the wild state 

 may be heard imitating the notes of other birds, so that 

 it is not surprising that in confinement, where he has 

 little else to do, this talent should be fully developed. 



If kept in a cage or flying loose in a small conserva- 

 tory, he will make a very charming pet on account of his 

 tameness and docility. 



When birds are kept in a conservatory, it should be a 

 cool one ; that is, either one that has a sunny aspect and 

 is not artificially heated at all, or where, at most, the 

 frost is just kept out by means of hot- water pipes during 

 severe weather; for anything approaching a stove tempera- 

 ture is to be avoided, unless, perhaps, in the case of a 

 few birds of exotic origin with which we are not at present 

 concerned. But in any case, it is a good plan to accustom 

 the birds to sleep in their cage, which should be wired in 

 front only, and if a thread is fastened to the door, this 

 can be readily closed, when the owner chooses, as soon 

 as the bird has entered to get a mealworm, or some 

 other dainty, placed there for the purpose. It is also a 

 good plan to have a curtain of baize, or some other 

 warm material, hanging over half of the front of the 

 cage, which the bird will be found to appreciate, always 

 sleeping behind it, and enjoying the privacy it affords. 



Never, on any account, drive a bird about in order to 

 catch it; if it must be caught, entice it into the cage, 

 close the door noiselessly by means of the string already 

 attached to it, and so arranged round one of the other 

 wires as to act like a pulley. We have always found 

 this the best plan, and use a piece of stout black thread, 

 which the bird does not notice. When it has gone into 

 the cage, the latter must be covered over with some dark 

 cover, and the position of the bird having been noted, a 

 practised hand will be able to catch it in a moment 

 without fuss or alarm, and so transfer it, without injury 

 to itself, to whatever cage or place it may be desired to 

 put it into. 



