272 PRIVATE RESIDENCES. 



CAGES. 



As we have before observed of the persons who take 

 pleasure in keeping birds, but few can build and support 

 aviaries for their accommodation, and a cage, often of very 

 limited dimensions, is all the little prisoner can have ; but 

 even in this he may be contented and happy, provided his 

 wants are properly cared for. There is no doubt, that as 

 far as the health and pleasure of the bird are concerned, a 

 room in which there is space to exercise the wings some- 

 what is better than a cage ; and this applies more especially 

 to some birds than others, according to their habits. We can 

 scarcely imagine the Skylark to be happy in any confine- 

 ment whatever ; in a small cage, least of all ; and therefore 

 we deem it an act of cruelty to ' crib, cabin, and confine ' 

 this the most lightsome, joyous, and high-soaring of all the 

 feathered songsters. Some birds there are which sing best 

 when confined within a narrow space, and some which, on 

 account of their quarrelsome or other disagreeable pro- 

 pensities, can only be so kept. Some birds, again, feel, 

 or affect, a kind of coyness, and will not sing when anyone 

 appears to be listening to them, or when even other birds 

 are present. Cover up the cage, and they will warble 

 away deliciously. Thus Bechstein remarks of Woodlarks, 

 which are fluent songsters, and somewhat difficult to keep 

 in confinement: * These birds appear subject to some 

 caprice. I have seen some which would never sing in a 

 room, or in presence of an auditor. They must be placed 

 in a long cage outside the window. I have remarked that 

 these perverse birds are the best singers.' Reminding us, 

 we may observe, of some public singers, who, presuming 

 upon the high estimation in which they are held, become 

 whimmy and capricious in the bestowal of their favours. 



Of cages generally we may notice that they should 

 never be very small ; room for the little prisoners to 

 stretch their wings should at least be given ; they must 

 be able to fly from perch to perch, as well as hop, or they 

 cannot be comfortable, cannot be healthy. If made of 

 wood, mahogany is the best, as it does not harbour ver- 



