BUILDING. 37 



scarlet bean; mix this well together, and 

 keep it in a bottle, closely corked, for use ; 

 before using it, shake it up Avell, and dip into 

 it a small brush, with which wash over the 

 cage, and let it dry for a day or two in any 

 airy place to carry off the smell. This de- 

 stroys all the red mites and other vermin that 

 lurk in the crevices, and which in the heat 

 of summer pour forth their hosts to annoy 

 the birds both old and young. Soak the 

 water glasses and fountains in pearl ash water 

 for a few minutes, to cleanse them from green 

 and scurf, and rinse them well. 



BUILDING 



The materials used and recommended for 

 building, are numerous and varied, but the 

 principal points to be attended to are warmth 

 and cleanliness. Of whatever stuff the nest 

 is composed it should always be new. The 

 materials of the old nest must be unscrupu- 

 lously rejected, unless it is wished to colonize 

 the new one with red mites, and all sorts of 

 vermin. All old fabrics, indeed are bad — as 

 from them the woolly surface has been much 

 rubbed off, and little but the cold fibre left 

 behind. 



The wooden cup, box, or basket, should 

 have put into it a little fine, fresh, clean elk's 

 hair, mixed with soft dried moss, and some 

 white wool, neatly disposed, so as to give as 

 little trouble as possible to the bird in form- 

 ing it into the shape of a nest. 

 4 



