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On coining and going.



Do not put hay in the bottom of the box or the bird may get

entangled and break its leg.


Have everything done, and nails, label and string at hand

before you catch the bird. Examine it before putting it in the box,

to see if it is in proper condition, or if its nails want trimming.

Where several birds are to go in one box the lid should be loose and

laid on the top, just sliding it hack a little way to admit each bird.

It is as well to put your hammer or some other weight on the top

for fear the birds already caught should jerk the lid off, whilst your

back is turned, and escape.


It is not safe to mix up big and little birds in the same box,


and were I sending a number of birds of the same kind I should


think it wiser to pack the hens and cocks in separate boxes. Safe

packing is always worth a little extra trouble and expense.


The birds safely in, the lid is now tacked on, and the label


(which should be made out in printed letters, giving address, date

and train), pasted on the top. Put on the label before the string or

you may have difficulty in passing it underneath. I always prefer

stick-on to tying-on labels. Some very suitable ones can be had from

“ Cage Birds” office at a small figure, printed in red and gummed.

In storing labels be careful to put nothing on the top of them or the

weight will cause the gummed backs to stick together.


In the case of valuable birds it is worth while to insure them.

Take them to the station yourself or send them in ample time before

the train, the clerks and porters will do the rest for you. The

railway servants and officials here are very kind. They will look

me out trains, telephone when a bird has come, and send it down

by special messenger if possible for a small fee. The gift of a bird,

or the invitation to look round the aviary is much appreciated, and

makes things—as they ought to be—on a pleasant footing. There

is sometimes an amusing side too. A pair of scolding Tasmanian

sugar squirrels that once came for me made such a noise that the

whole station staff were puzzled and curious to know what they

could be, the hissing sound being like an angry cat, and one man

declared that “ he would'nt care to put his hand in that box, not for

a thousand pounds ”



