SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 129 



frames. The wire was galvanized to prevent rust, but has been 

 painted dull black to render it as inconspicuous as possible. 



The floor of the cage contains a central pool of water, about 

 ten by eighteen feet, fed by a central fountain. The remainder of 

 the floor-space is covered with coarse sand to a depth of two 

 inches. 



In lieu of straight, unlovely perches, old cedar logs and trees 

 have been utilized with very satisfactory results. The various- 

 sized branches are adapted to the grasp of birds' feet of all sizes, 

 and their hard, smooth surface is as easily cleaned as metal. 



The following are the more important of the objections, real 

 or apparent, which naturally suggest themselves in considering a 

 cage of this character: difficulty in the identification of the birds 

 by visitors ; the danger of certain species obtaining food intended 

 for others ; the risk of timid species not getting their share of 

 food ; the mortality from fights between different species, and the 

 reduced chance of the various birds breeding. 



Among the more important of the advantages which have been 

 apparent, and which in fact must accrue to such a radical innova- 

 tion in the keeping of birds indoors, before it can be considered a 

 success, may be mentioned the following, stated in the order of 

 their importance : 



I. The health and contentment of the birds. 

 II. Economy of room. 



III. Economy of labor in cleaning and feeding. 



IV. Added interest and pleasure to visitors. 



V. .(^thetic effect of diverse forms and colors, and of 

 general activity through mixed association. 

 The objection regarding difficulty in identification is easily done 

 away with, and, instead of being a permanent drawback, proves 

 to be an important factor in favor of such cages. The confusion 

 naturally arising from the mingling of twenty-five or thirty spe- 

 cies of birds in one cage is obviated by small but perfectly diag- 

 nostic hand-paintings of the various species, one on each label, 

 together with the common and scientific names and the habitat. 

 It has been noted with much interest that the identification of the 

 birds from the picture-labels suggests itself to visitors, especially 

 young people, as a natural-history puzzle, or game ; and the com- 

 parison of bird and portrait, and the settling of doubts as to spe- 

 cies somewhat resembling each other, affords an amusement in 



