The Canary Book. 



wires will be thrown out of a perpendicular line, and will in 

 consequence be offensive to the eye. Compasses are mostly 

 used for measuring off the holes, but they are apt to get 

 compressed or extended if not handled with consummate care, 

 in which case they would be sure to mislead you ; therefore 

 you will find it better to use a good stout two-pronged table- 

 fork, with the prongs about half-an-inch apart, as a gauge 

 for setting off the correct distances between the wires. If 

 you prefer wire bars to wood ones, as shown in Fig. 3, you 

 will find the task of boring less difficult; still you cannot be 



FIG. 3. BREEDING-CAGE, SINGLE COMPARTMENT. 



too particular in the performance of this part of the work, 

 and the difference in appearance betwixt a well-wired cage 

 and one carelessly and slovenly executed is immense. 



If you use wire cross-bars and you can handle a soldering- 

 iron, solder the wires instead of binding; it makes a far 

 stronger job and looks much neater and better, but it is a 

 somewhat difficult operation for a beginner. Before commencing 

 to wire a cage it is a good plan to prepare a bradawl or 

 pricker for boring the holes ; it should be exactly half-an-incb 



