THE AVIARY. 267 



billed birds, it is difficult at all times to procure a sufficient 

 supply of insect food, and they in their wild free state do 

 not suffer, as our permanent residents often must, from cold 

 and hunger ; for, at the approach of winter, they wing their 

 flight to more genial climes. Such birds should never be 

 caught and caged ; seldom will they long survive this treat- 

 ment, and often have they been known, as the migratory 

 period approached, to beat themselves to death against the 

 bars of their prison. For that prime favourite of all cage 

 songsters, the Canary, to be debarred from the liberty 

 which it has never enjoyed is surely no punishment, but 

 rather a benefit ; it has never known freedom, and if set 

 free would, in England at all events, be unable to obtain a 

 subsistence, and protect itself from the inclemency of the 

 weather, and the numerous enemies which all birds have. 

 If we provide this, and its fellow musicians, comfortable 

 and roomy homes, keep them from harm, and supply them 

 with food congenial to their nature, we prove to them not 

 enemies, but true friends and benefactors ; and how we are 

 to do this, it will now be our endeavour to show. 

 First, as to 



THE AVI ART. 



This, if the means of the bird- fancier permit, may be a very 

 ornamental structure, forming part of, or an adjunct to, the 

 conservatory, with accommodation fora large number of birds 

 of different kinds ; or it may be small, and devoted to one 

 or more species : in all cases, it should open to the south, 

 or south-west ; and be fitted with blinds to exclude, when 

 necessary, excessive sunlight, as well as the damp and cold. 

 A strong wire gauze, fitted where glass would be in a 

 human habitation, will best ensure to the feathered inmates 

 a free admission of air, and protection from cats and other 

 foes. The wooden or iron superstructure should be based 

 upon brick-work, and care be taken to make the bottom as 

 inaccesible to rats as possible; this will be best effected by 

 placing beneath the earth a layer of broken glass, and 

 having it beaten down quite hard and firm ; it is not well 

 to pave the bottom with bricks, unless earth be placed over 

 them, as they are too cold for the feet of the birds. There 



