THE CANARY'S PLUMAGE AND MOULTING 



151 



stand a derangement of certain func- 

 tions ; but we do not consider the ])he- 

 noinenon results from any such cause ; 

 it is a most perfect and healthy recog- 

 nition of certain laws in the bird's 

 economy. 



are two himdred and forty-eight cage-com- 

 partments, separated by sliding partitions. 

 Each compartment is the same size, and 

 each front slips and unslips by a very 

 simple arrangement of small brass buttons. 

 The doors are all framed, and swing on 

 We furnish on this page an illustration of beads, so as to afford no hiding-place for 

 the interior of a great Norwich firm's moult- parasites between the door-frames and 

 ing-room — a most complete the cross-bars, and each fastens with a 

 A Moulting house for the purpose for neat brass button. The seed-hoppers are 

 which it is intended. The all made of one pattern, and fit any set of 

 " room " is a detached house in the garden, holes. The water-vessels are of glass 

 on the outskirts of Norwich, and is a wooden and the egg-drawers of one ])attern — to 

 erection about 



f^^s^^^C^^^ 



12 feet high, 

 standing 011 six 

 substantial posts. 

 about 2 feet (1 

 inches from the 

 groimd, with a 

 view to guarding 

 against damp. 

 It is weather- 

 boarded on the 

 outside with Ij- 

 inch stuff, and 

 the space be- 

 tween that and 

 the f -inch boards 

 with which the 

 inside is lined 

 is filled with 

 sawdust, which 

 acts as a non- 

 conductor. It is 

 warmed by hot- 

 water pipes, and 

 the perforated 



covering seen at the bottom is contrived ]iusli through a hole made for them in 

 so as to admit fresh air from outside as the middle of the bottom front rail, 

 well as the heated air from tlie pipes. The building is thoroughly cleaned out 



The entrance — which is approached by at the commencement of tlie moulting 

 two or three steps — consists of double season in the following manner : — The 

 doors, the rule being to close the outer birds having been remo\ed into another 

 one before opening that immediatelj^ leading room, each front is imslipped, and every 

 into the room, in case any birds shoidd compartment is well scraped — top, sides, 

 have escaped from their cages. It is back, and bottom — and as nnich white- 

 lighted from the roof, and is well ventilated wash as possible removed. The fronts are 

 by means of six patent contrivances, the then placed inside, each in its own place, 

 foul air being carried of? by a 4-incb pipe and every ajierture being closed, the 

 through the roof, which is tiled. There place is well " stoved " by burning a 



A NORWICH MOULTING ROOM. 



