Cages. 109 



I cannot too strongly advise the adoption of such 

 patterns. If they are thought too cold, or require 

 shading, a glass can be slid in, or a green baize 

 curtain drawn over. They are very nice for standing 

 in a window, made just to fit ; a glass outside the 

 front wire- keeping in the seed and litter, if necessary, 

 and the birds enjoying the full light in good view 

 of their mistress. These cages are convenient when 

 made eighteen inches high and wide, and exactly to fit 

 the whole length of the window. One of four feet long, 

 made in stained and varnished deal, would not exceed 

 in price twelve shillings. In mahogany its cost would 

 be about sixteen shillings, and if one end is glazed 

 for a bath all round, the amusement of watching the 

 birds will be great. A cage like this will hold quite 

 two dozen birds. 



6. Being so low priced, a second cage can probably 

 be used, so that the two would be thoroughly washed 

 by turns, and well dried and aired. 



Any wood susceptible of polish could be employed. 

 Maple looks well, but in boudoirs or drawing-rooms 

 it would generally be better to let it match the furni- 

 ture or the window-frame itself; whatever is the 

 material, it must be solid, with no veneers or inlaying 

 in any part that the birds can get at. 



7. These cages can have an eating-room at one 

 end, with the walls wholly or partly of glass outside 

 the wire to keep the seed in, or they may be supplied 



