274 METAL V. WOOD. 



a hot sun scorching up its very marrow, without the pos- 

 sibility of the poor victim to man's love of feathered pets 

 finding shelter in any corner of its very airy prison. The 

 wild bird may be subjected to all these atmospheric in- 

 fluences without detriment to its health and enjoyment; 

 but then it can flit from sunshine to shade, and from shade 

 to sunshine, as its feelings and inclinations prompt ; and, 

 moreover, by the free use of its wings, which the captive 

 bird has not, it quickens the circulation of the blood, and 

 keeps up that healthful warmth in the frame which is the 

 natural result of exercise. People do not think of this, 

 and wonder why a bird in a cage should not be able to 

 bear the changes of the weather as well as one in the 

 woods and fields. They forget, too, what is generally the 

 case, that the confined bird has been bred and reared in 

 an artificial manner. Let the cage, then, have in it snug 

 corners for shelter ; do not place it in the open air when 

 the weather is cold or inclement ; and when it is so placed, 

 let it be taken in before the chills and damps of night 

 come on. At night, even indoors, it is best to cover the 

 open part with a curtain, unless the weather should be 

 very sultry. The bird will then take its natural rest in 

 warmth and comfort, without being disturbed by any 

 lights, noises, or movements about it. 



Of late metal cages have come much into use, and very 

 light and pretty things some of them are ; but we question 

 if a bird is so comfortable in one of these as in a properly 

 constructed wooden cage ; they have the advantage of 

 cleanliness and freedom from vermin ; they are elegant, 

 many of them extremely so ; they are portable, and may 

 be moved from place to place easily ; and, provided the 

 perches and false bottom be of wood for metal is too 

 cold for the bird's claws to rest upon we see no parti- 

 cular disadvantage in their use. We are not at all partial 

 to those fantastic structures which resemble miniature 

 churches and castles and villas, with rockwork and clock- 

 work, and cascades and rills, and moving figures, amid 

 which the bird, the only natural thing, seems out of 

 place. But we do like a tasteful combination of glass and 

 metal wrought into some elegant form, in which the beauty 



