Washing Canaries. 367 



work when needed; this is a most essential and indispensable 

 requisite, as the birds dry more rapidly in this way than in 

 any other. Latterly, however, I have used a box which I 

 contrived purposely for drying birds in, and it answers admir- 

 ably ; it is sixteen inches long, eight inches wide, and ten inches 

 in depth ; it is made with a solid wood bottom ; the portion 

 forming the body is framed with inch square laths, and then 

 covered with flannel; one of the ends is done over with per- 

 forated zinc to admit the air, whilst the other has a framed 

 glass door hung on hinges to let in light (the glass could 

 be made to slide in a groove if need be), which enables the 

 operator to see at a glance if all is right within, and likewise 

 how the occupants progress. Two perches are fixed inside 

 by letting two upright miniature posts into the bottom; these 

 are three inches in height, and cross pieces are fastened to 

 them with small screws from the top. When the drying box 

 is not being used it should be folded in two paper covers 

 and kept in another box or calico bag to keep the dust 

 from it. 



I will now proceed to describe minutely the process of 

 washing : First of all place the stool a short distance from the 

 fire ; stir the fire if necessary and make it a good one, and rake 

 out all the dust from the bars. Having done this, place the 

 drying-box or cage upon the stool to get it thoroughly warmed 

 through; spread the cotton cloths, or old silk handkerchief, 

 over it so that they may get well warmed by the time they 

 are required; pour out some hot water into one of the jugs 

 and some cold into the other. Next wash your hands per- 

 fectly clean, and having poured some hot and cold water into 

 one of the basins in such proportions as to leave it at about 

 75deg. to 85deg. temperature, commence to make it into a 

 soap lather; and having folded the two pieces of flannel 

 ready for use, rub some soap on to one of these also. Some 

 fanciers prefer to use a shaving brush instead of a piece 

 of flannel to rub in the soap lather. I do not approve of 

 this plan, for the reason that the hairs of the brush often 

 get into the eyes of the birds and cause irritation, and, in 



