HIS BATH 69 



room. When the birds were accustomed to 

 it, I could bring them to my desk or any ta- 

 ble very easily by standing the familiar perch 

 on it. 



Sometimes it is desirable to give a bird 

 the benefit of the large bathing-dish without 

 letting him out of the cage ; he may be new, 

 or it may be that other birds disturb him. 

 This can be done in either of two ways the 

 dish may be filled and placed on a table, 

 then the bird's tray removed, and while his 

 cage is held close over the dish, the wire 

 bottom carefully drawn out, and the cage in- 

 stantly set down over the dish. This opera- 

 tion cannot be safely performed with a bird 

 liable to a panic, for he will be sure, in dash- 

 ing about, to slip out of the cage while the 

 wire bottom is half removed. If he sits qui- 

 etly on an upper perch, it may be easily done. 



In case of a timid bird the second way is 

 best ; he must have a bathing annex. To ar- 

 range this, put an empty cage on the table 

 with the bathing-dish inside, remove all the 

 perches, and fasten the door wide open. Then 

 set the bird's own cage beside it, open his 

 door wide, and place it against the open door 



