62 The Canary Book. 



freedom, though I seldom find them make good use of the 

 materials, and ultimately, as a rule, they throw them all out 

 ere they lay, evidently satisfied that they cannot improve 

 upon the "original," although occasionally I find a hen 

 construct a very neat nest from this material. These 

 materials likewise prevent them from plucking their progeny. 

 Instinctively they all have a notion of making a nest ; but 

 only instinctively, I consider. As a general rule I am . no 

 advocate for the " square box " and " dried grass and wool 

 nests," although I know they are much used. Next to what 

 I have described, I prefer those used by Scotchmen gene- 

 rally made of leather lined with flannel and let into a piece 

 of wood with a round hole cut in it, with wooden sides 

 fastened to it, wired top and back, and hung with wire hooks 

 on to a square hole made in the end of the cage. Tease out 

 a piece of the felt or saddle-cloth or a piece of wool carpet as 

 fine as possible, and place it in the wires of the breeding- 

 cages; this will induce the hens to take to the nest all the 

 more readily. Figs. 42 and 43 show method of fixing cocoa-nut 

 nests. 



Glazed earthenware nest-pans are used by some fanciers, but 

 I prefer those I have already described, as I think earthen- 

 ware too cold for general use. Such pans may be beneficial 

 in very hot weather, or in cases where hens are known to 

 sweat their young brood. These pans can be had from both 

 Mr. Green and Mr. Tarns, whose addresses I have already 

 furnished (see page 47). Wooden nest-boxes and wicker nest- 

 baskets are preferred by some fanciers. The former are 

 made from three to three-and-a-half inches square or in 

 diameter, and one-and-three-quarter inches deep, inside measure- 

 ments, with a projecting angular uack, the latter being about 

 four-and-a-half inches in length, with a hole near the top by 

 which to hang it up, and a few small holes made in the 

 bottom, front, and sides for air to get to the nest. Where 

 these are used dried grass or hay, moss, and cow-hair must 

 be supplied for the birds to build their own nests. I should 

 prefer a zinc bottom perforated. 



