Breeding and Management. 87 



We have known birds under such circumstances nibble the 

 ice, and thereby allay their thirst. Most canaries, except 

 Belgians, can endure an immense amount of cold. 



DETACHED BIRD HOUSE. I have had a bird-house built at 

 the rear of my dwelling-house (see Plate). It is a semi- 

 detached building ; I had it constructed specially for birds and 

 plants. It faces west and south; on the north it adjoins 

 another building which acts as a shelter for it. It is 10ft. 

 high .at the back, 12ft. long, 7ft. wide, and 7ft. 4in. high at 

 the front. It faces due west, and the end the south. At 

 this end and in front is a wall 3ft. Sin. in height, and above 

 this to the roof is framed woodwork, glazed in long narrow 

 stripes like an ordinary greenhouse. The whole of the front 

 is made in sashes and hung on hinges, which can be opened 

 for ventilation when required. The south end is also framed, 

 with a framed and panelled door in the centre, the upper 

 half of which is glass. The front and south end are shelved 

 for plants, and the back and a recess at the north end are 

 also shelved with llin. boards for the breeding-cages. The 

 shelves at the back are supported by wooden trestles fixed 

 to the wall in five rows, the first being only lOin. from the 

 ground. It is built like a room, and has a step, 7in. in 

 height from the ground, leading into it; the floor is formed 

 of Gin. buff-and-red tiles laid obtusely or anglewise, to resemble 

 oilcloth in the pattern, on a 4in. bed of concrete. The walls 

 are all plastered and coloured dove colour, with fixed colours. 

 The roof is lathed and plastered to form a ceiling, and in 

 the centre is a framed sky-light, 24in. by 18in., which opens 

 when needed for ventilation. In addition to this I have a 

 small iron ventilator inserted in the brickwork, which closes 

 with a slide. At the north end is a properly-constructed 

 chimney with a registered fire grate, and a mantle-piece; and 

 the whole room is skirted round with a 7in. moulded skirting. 

 This being a separate building, it is necessary, in cold, damp, 

 and frosty weather, to have a little fire in it, and in order 

 to prevent it getting overheated I have a contrivance to cover 

 the whole of the open space above the bars, and so constructed 



