36 THE CANARY EIRD. 



below and one above, should not be used, as 

 they tend to diminish the stately appearance 

 of the birds ; but those with only two perches 

 on a level, give birds by far the best shape. 



The cage should be thicldy and firmly 

 wired to prevent, as much as possible, the 

 mischief frequently done by mice, who often 

 eat the eggs, and even the young ones. If 

 birds are attacked by a cat, which also hap- 

 pens, they have the best chance of escaping 

 who are in a thickly wired cage ; provided it 

 be firmly fixed up. The wire should always 

 be of iron, as the Canaries are ever nibbling 

 at it ; brass wires get covered with verdigris 

 which is fatal to birds. It is recommended 

 to have cages painted, either inside or out, 

 with common oil paint ; they may be var- 

 nished on the outside. White paint should 

 never be used for the inside, as the reflection 

 of white weakens the sight ; light blue or 

 green should be used. All cages should have 

 a large door, which is very convenient for 

 many purposes. 



In purchasing an old cage, or putting up 

 breeding cages which may have been out of 

 use for some time, see that they are not beset 

 with red mites, like bugs in old furniture ; and 

 that there are no old looking, dry, musty 

 places about the hinges, doors or nest boxes. 

 Wash them well with strong yellow soap- 

 suds and pearl ashes ; and when dry, they 

 may be washed over with the following 

 lotion : — Spirits of turpentine and spirits of 

 wine, equal parts; in which you dissolve 

 some camphor and soda, about the size of a 



