THE BIRD-ROOM IIQ 



less things usually found in a house, divided 

 into unsteady, unmanageable sections, part of 

 which are panels, and with slats so small and 

 near together that they keep out everything, 

 including fresh air ; I mean a good, firm blind, 

 the size of the lower sash of the window, 

 made to order in one piece, to be put into 

 the open window like a screen, bolted to place 

 with tiny brass bolts, and having slats of good 

 size extending at least half their width. Such 

 blinds as these, of oiled pine, I have had made 

 for one dollar a window, and they were an 

 unspeakable comfort, letting in plenty of air, 

 and keeping the birds as safely as the smoth- 

 ering wire gauze. 



No draperies or curtains are allowed in a 

 bird-room, to gather dust or trap the birds to 

 their death, as I have known them to do. The 

 windows should have shades, to the bottom 

 of which may be lightly sewed a piece of un- 

 washed white mosquito-netting or coarse lace, 

 the length and width of the window. This 

 supplementary shade may be neatly folded 

 up and pinned to the ordinary shade, be- 

 ing invisible from the outside ; or it may be 

 dropped to form a gauzy veil over the whole 



