Cages and Cage-making. 



already made to see how easy it is of accomplishment. 

 There is, however, a simpler method even than this, 



and that is to bend a wire thus : \ leaving half -an -inch at 

 the bottom to go into the wood J to hold it firm ; but if 

 you make the round holes you will have to fasten the 

 wire to the bottom stay of the cage with a small wire staple, 

 or by making a small groove in it to let the wire into. This 

 you can do with a sharp knife, but you must not make it 

 any deeper than is necessary to hold it firm (see Fig. 4). 



If you can manage to "dove- tail" the tops, bottoms, and 

 ends of the cages together, by all means do so; if ~you are 

 unable to accomplish this feat, try to " rabbet " them together ; 

 failing in this likewise, use glue, in addition to flaws or screws, 

 to fasten them together, as it will make closer joints, and 

 thereby prevent crevices being left, which must by all means 

 be avoided, as they only serve as harbours of refuge for bird 

 vermin. If the wood you use is not well seasoned, the tops or 

 backs may possibly " spring " a little, especially if the cages 

 are exposed to a strong heat, either from a fire or the direct 

 rays of the sun in summer time. If such an event should 

 happen, be sure to take them off the first time you clean 

 the cages out and re-fit them. It is a commendable plan to 

 make the fronts of breeding- and show-cages with framed 

 wire fronts, to screw on and take off, so that they can be 

 easily removed for the purpose of painting, white-washing, or 

 thoroughly cleaning the cages; or the framed fronts may be 

 secured by a pair of small brass hinges on one side, and a 

 brass hook or button on the other, or by fitting in two pieces 

 of wire instead of hinges, to lift in and ont. 



It is better to make the compartments of the breeding-cages 

 a little too large than too small; the birds get more room 

 for exercise, and the air is not so liable to become vitiated as 

 it is in a too circumscribed space. 



CAGE DOORS. Fig. 5 shows three descriptions of cage doors, 

 all of which are simple in construction. The first and second 

 (a and 6) are a combination of wood and wire, and are secured 

 to the cage by passing one of the wires, forming a portion 



