Cages, etc. 251 



and to be poisoned by the paint which it had imbibed 

 in pluming itself after a bath. 



Cages of common brass, unlacquered, are liable to 

 become covered with poisonous verdigris, and badly 

 constructed cages of all kinds often cause great injury 

 and suffering to their inmates. Some breeding-cages 

 were offered to me a short time since, so badly finished 

 that the points of the wires forming a partition between 

 the nursery compartment and the body of the cage, 

 were standing up above the woodwork in all their 

 sharpness, and sharp wires projected also into the round 

 holes through which the birds were intended to pass 

 their heads for seed and water; so that the unfortu- 

 nate inmates of these cages would be exposed to 

 injuries likely to produce lameness, and wounds in the 

 head, every day of their lives ! 



Bad seed, too, will often cause the disease and death 

 of birds, if tainted by mice or mildew ; so that it is of 

 great consequence to purchase it where it is sure to be 

 good and sound. In purchasing birds, cages, or seed, 

 always go to a recognized dealer or naturalist. From 

 personal experience of Mr. Edward Hawkins (Natura- 

 list), of 6 Bear Street, Leicester Square, I can tho- 

 roughly recommend him to my readers. He has 

 supplied me with birds, cages, and seed for many 

 years, and I have ever found him most conscientious 

 and fair-dealing in every respect. 



Moreover, he is thoroughly acquainted with birds of 



