26 OUR HOME PETS 



one across the middle, so that head and tail 

 are both accommodated in natural attitudes. 

 This done, I wrap the cage in buff or white 

 wrapping-paper, making a nice package that 

 I am willing to carry, and tying it up in such 

 a way that one end has no string across it. 

 Then I take scissors and cut the paper on the 

 left-open end, across the top, and down the 

 corners on each side, leaving it whole at the 

 bottom. This makes a paper door opening 

 over the wooden door. 



The reason for all this care is that a bird 

 may not be scared to death by the rattle of 

 paper in doing up his cage, and it is necessary 

 to cover him, to screen him from seeing things 

 and people about him, which will drive him 

 wild. When my door is complete, I arrange 

 a string in such a way that I can tie it up or 

 open it without disturbing the fastenings of 

 the rest of the string. 



When my bird is chosen, I untie this special 

 string, fold back the paper door, and draw up 

 the round wooden bars that form the door of 

 the cage. Then the bird, already caught by 

 the dealer, is gently loosened at the door, and 

 instantly fastened in by slipping the wooden 



