BLACKBIRD'S AND BREEDING CAGES. 281 



THE BLACKBIRD'S CAGE 



Must be more commodious and roomy than that of any of 

 the foregoing species. It is best made entirely of wood, 

 of a square form, with roof like that of a house, shelving 

 down on either side. The sides may be open half way 

 from the top only, to save the inmate from a draught sweep- 

 ing through. Two feet is not too much for length, with a 

 foot and a half each way for depth and height, but less will 

 do ; Avooden bars are better than metal wires for the open 

 parts, and these should be tolerably stout, and a good 

 distance apart. The food and water receptacles should be 

 of earthenware, tolerably deep, and placed outside of the 

 cage, for this bird is a somewhat dirty and slovenly feeder, 

 and would scatter the one, spill the other, and probably 

 foul them both. There should be three perches in each 

 cage, running from front to back ; one low down on either 

 side, so placed that the bird standing on them can get at its 

 food and water, and one in the centre about half way up , 

 they should be square, or may be slightly rounded. The 

 Thrushes, near relatives of the Blackbird, also do well in a 

 cage like this (3). 



An extensive dealer in cages is Mr. Edward Hawkins, of 

 6 Bear Street, Leicester Square. This dealer also supplies 

 Birds, especially such as Canaries, Bullfinches, and has the 

 character of an upright and intelligent tradesman, well 

 acquainted with the peculiarities of the sweet songsters, and 

 able to give advice as to their treatment. Of 



BREEDING CAGES 



he tells us the best is a plain wooden one, with wire front, 

 twenty -four inches long, by about ten deep and fourteen 

 high. A separate cage for feeding to be attached when 

 required. Kidd says, writing of the Canary, that four feet 

 long, twenty inches wide, and eighteen inches deep, is a 

 favourite size with large breeders. This admits of a 

 double set of breeding boxes ; its make should be something 

 like that of No. 5. 



