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overhang the glass, and in this way the nest could be kept clean,

and quiet observations made when the birds were off the nest

without disturbing them.



A DRY BATH CAGE; WEAVERS IN CAGES.


By A. A. Pearson.


A note from the Editor, petitioning members to help him

by sending something to edit, induces me to take up my pen at

the risk of feeling very unimportant alongside the interesting

communications of the experts and veterans of our Society,

which some of us just devour. Perhaps there are others who,

like myself, for one reason or another, have had to be content

with cages, and peruse the descriptions of members’ aviaries with

somewhat envious feelings. I think, however, that five years’

study of birds iu cages has given me a more detailed knowledge

of them than if they had been at liberty in a large area. In good

sized cages they can be kept in perfect health and feather, by

good food, ventilation, cleanliness, and regular bathing; and

when the cages are enamelled a suitable quiet colour, the wires

blackened, and tree branches for perches, they show off to much

better advantage than in aviaries. The drawback is the time

occupied in cleaning and bathing. To obviate the latter I

designed a cage which permits a bath to remain in all day without

even a splash on the sand tray. At the bottom corner, close to

the wooden side, and alongside the sand tray, is a partition or

compartment into which slides a drawer 9 inches long by 5 inches

wide, and 4 inches deep, into which I put a common tooth-brush

dish brimful of water. Over the top of the drawer compart¬

ment, resting on two inclined rebates, is a pane of glass forming

a lean-to roof over the drawer. The birds see the water through

the glass and enter from the back end, which is left open.

Owing to the depth of the drawer and the slanting roof all the

splashings are arrested. The wooden drawer is well enamelled

inside and outside, and only requires a coat inside once a year to

keep it water-tight. Drinking water is supplied separately iu a

fountain. The cage is 3 feet 6 inches by 3 feet 6 inches by 16

inches back to front.


Referring to Mr. Savage’s article on page 199 Vol. VII., I

have for three years kept in the above cage three Weavers and

two White Tavas. The Weavers are a Scarlet Madagascar, a

Napoleon, and (notwithstanding Dr. Butler’s warning foot-note) a



