278 CAGES FOR SKYLARKS AND NIGHTINGALES. 



THE SKYLARK S CAGE 



Should be at least eighteen inches long, nine wide, and 

 fifteen high ; made with a shelving and projecting roof, 

 like that of a Swiss cottage, with a front like a bow win- 

 dow, springing from a semicircular platform, about two 

 inches from the bottom of the cage. The vessels for food 

 and drink should be placed without, one on each side, in 

 a projecting box, like a little penthouse. On the plat- 

 form above-named, where the bird likes to hop, should be 

 placed a piece of green turf, cut from a field or road-side, 

 to be changed as often as possible, and on the bottom a box 

 or drawer, containing fine river sand, for the bird to scratch 

 up with its long claws, and roll itself in. This, it must 

 be remembered, is a ground bird, and not a perch er ; 

 therefore, does not require a perch. In its efforts to soar 

 it is apt to be injured by striking itself against the top of 

 the cage, which should be lined with green baize or linen. 

 We state this for the guidance of those who will keep 

 Skylarks in confinement, but we would rather imitate the 

 brevity of Punch's advice to persons about to marry, and 

 say < don't' (2). 



THE NIGHTINGALE'S CAGE 



This should be as large as that of the Lark at least, and it 

 should have the front only of open wire work, the sides 

 and back being solid like the roof. They should be lined 

 with baize or flannel, that in the bird's struggles to escape 

 at the migratory period, it be not injured. There should 

 be no projection at the front, nor aught which will interfere 

 with the bird's love of privacy ; indeed, if there is a curtain 

 so arranged as to fall over the front, when there is much 

 bustle or movement in the room where the cage is, it will 

 be better. When the cage is hung in the open air, it 

 should be amid green boughs, which shelter and shade it, 

 for this, be it remembered, is ' shade-loving Philomel.' 

 This bird must have perches : two will be sufficient, placed 

 lengthways, one high up, and the other low down. It 



