26 



The Canary Book. 



them to withstand the ordeal of rough usage to which they 

 are liable in the course of transit to and from shows; the 

 length of the cage should be 13^in., height in front the same, 

 depth 6in. The top should be placed at an acute angle, 

 as shown in the engraving ; the original idea for making the 

 top in this style was to throw a reflected light over the 

 birds to intensify their colour, which it does to some extent 

 when the cage is not placed in a direct light. It used to be 

 the practice to place the sides of the cage at an angle as 



FIG. 13. ORDINARY SHOW-CAQE. 



well, with the same view, but certainly not with the same 

 result, but that idea is now exploded. The chief advantage 

 in making the tops angular is this: Most fanciers place the 

 cages face to face, with a piece of cardboard or strong 

 brown paper between them, to prevent the birds getting 

 their heads through the wires during transit to and from 

 exhibitions, and thereby preventing them running the risk 

 of being injured or killed; the cages are then tied together 

 firmly with twine and secured in a canvas wrapper. The 



