AVIARIES, BIRD-ROOMS AND CAGES. 



21 



fly from one set of perches to another. If we 

 decide to have a tree or branch, we must fix it in a 

 sloping position, not upright as a tree grows; see 

 Fig. 14. By adopt- 

 ing this method we 

 give our birds a 

 greater variety of 

 perches, and prevent 

 the droppings from 

 the top birds soiling 

 both the plumage 

 of others and the 

 lower branches. 



No perches should 

 be nearer than 3 or 4 

 inches to the wire 

 as birds delight to 

 roost close to it, thus 

 running considerable 

 risk from prowling 



cats. In like manner it is a mistake to have cross-bars 

 round the frame work of the aviary, as the inmates fre- 

 quently roost on them, and are likely to get thoroughly 

 wet during the night, if there should happen to be a 

 change of wind and weather. 



For some of the larger birds, such as Jays and Mag- 

 pies, we shall require good stout hedge-stakes for 

 perches; these we can generally manage to get from 

 the nurseryman who keeps them for staking dahlias, 

 roses, etc. They answer capitally for our- purpose, but 

 should be purchased in various thicknesses. Fix them 

 firmly, as birds very much dislike a perch that twists 

 round. A swaying perch is natural, but one that 

 revolves is troublesome to the inmates of the aviary. 



Fig. 14. Right and Wrong Method of 

 Fixing Tree-branch in Aviary. 



