Aviary Cage. 117 



wires, the old bird will very often patronise his chil- 

 dren, and example is of great service in teaching them 

 to wash and make themselves look respectable. 



This is of such consequence, that when my young 

 birds (bought when just fledged) do not do well in this 

 way, I put a very dandy bird, either Chaffie or Goldie, 

 in the adjoining part, that by seeing him they may be 

 fairly shamed by the elaborateness of his toilette. 



Many people divide lengthways an aviary like this; 

 some, again, contrive a third story in winter, at least, 

 by removing the front slope of the roof and substi- 

 tuting wire. The top should, however, have a ceiling 

 when out of doors for protection from heat and damp 

 in the summer time, and from cold in winter. 



I myself prefer very much the high divisions, as 

 the birds seem fond of hopping up and down ; they 

 admit also a much nicer tree, and show the inmates 

 off to greater advantage. 



3. No paint, I need hardly say, should be used 

 inside, and no brass whatever. 



If glass is adopted, the maker must be particularly 

 warned to put the putty entirely outside. 



I do not think any wood really answers better than 

 well smoothed and polished deal ; but many persons 

 dislike it, and it is merely a fancy perhaps of my own, 

 though having seen how well it has answered, I have 

 now a preference for it. Mahogany is particularly un- 

 suitable to display the birds' bright plumage. 



