TO GET HIM HOME 25 



plumage is materially injured, and often a 

 wing is broken, or tail feathers pulled out by 

 his struggles. 



The way I have adopted is vastly better 

 than these. I have two conveyances, one or 

 other of which I take when I go bird-hunting. 

 One is a small -sized, square -cornered splint 

 basket, perhaps eight by ten inches in size, 

 with a cover and handle. To prepare it for 

 use, I cover the bottom with several thick- 

 nesses of paper, which are easily renewed, 

 then fasten a good -sized perch across the 

 middle, an inch or two above the floor, hold- 

 ing it firmly by a tack through from the out- 

 side. Into one corner I fasten with fine wire 

 a small deep cup for water, into the opposite 

 corner a cup for food. The basket, being 

 woven, lets in plenty of light and air. A bird 

 as large as a robin has enough room, and, as I 

 carry it carefully, he is not afraid to eat and 

 drink if he wishes. 



The other carriage, which I use for smaller 

 birds, is one of the wooden cages above men- 

 tioned, made over, first by a thorough scrub- 

 bing and scalding, and secondly by removing 

 the absurd perches at the ends, and placing 



