AVIARIES, BIED-EOOMS AND CAGES. 19 



PAINTING THE WOODWORK. 



Having fixed our building in position, we must now 

 paint the woodwork. Here individual tastes differ, 

 some preferring one colour, some another. Some 

 colours have plenty of body in them and cover and w r ear 

 \\ell~-such as slate and purple brown; it will also be 

 found that colours containing a good proportion of 

 white lead have the same qualities. The greens are 

 bad colours for outside work, and, if used, should be 

 preceded by at least two or three coats of paint contain- 

 ing more body. For exposed woodwork dark purple 

 brown will be found to wear and look well, especially if 

 a little varnish be added when giving the last coat. 

 White, and cream, too, are excellent colours for 

 suburban or country Aviaries; the buildings look light 

 and effective, and one has no difficulty to match either 

 colour when it is found necessary to re-paint. 



It is advisable to rather overdo the painting at first, 

 while we are able to get at the interior, for later on, 

 when the wire netting is fixed, we shall find it practically 

 impossible to repaint some parts. 



FIXING THE WIRE AND THE DOOR. 



We must now measure up and get our wire. This 

 can be procured in several widths, but we shall require 

 that twenty-four inches wide. A pair of sharp pliers, or 

 pincers, will be needed to cut off each length. To fasten 

 it on we must have some small wire staples, which are 

 made for the purpose and can be bought with the wire. 



A little care must v be taken in order to get the 

 netting fixed evenly and straight. Knock in a few 

 staples here and there first r but not driving them quite 

 home, so they may be removed w-ith the pincers if 

 necessary. A thick piece of string w<ill be found useful 

 to aid in pulling the wire tight. We must nail it on 

 to the frame, and at the bottom to the inside of the 

 board. To be able to do the latter we must prise up 

 the board a little with a chisel or screwdriver; then, 

 when completed, the whole will have a much better 

 appearance than if the netting is fastened on the front. 



We must next fix on our door with a pair of strong 

 hinges (called " butts " by the ironmonger), and put on 

 a couple of fasteners to keep it shut. It is just as well 



