CHAPTER XV. 



COXCERXIXG CAGES 



A WORK of this kind would hardly be complete with- 

 out a few remarks respecting cages. Some years ago 

 it was a most difficult matter to get the necessary wood 

 for the purpose of making them. Many were made 

 from material quite unsuitable, and they were 'in con- 

 sequence clumsy and difficult to handle. The wire, too, 

 had to be straightened with a hammer, or by a wire 

 straightener, an implement everyone was not able to 

 manage properly. 



This is now all changed. The handy bird fancier 

 who cares to make his own cages can easily procure the 

 necessary materials. The boards for die purpose are 

 constantly advertised in the columns of "CAGE BIRDS." 

 These are specially selected, and cut into various useful 

 lengths, but if the fancier desires some superior sort of 

 wood he may obtain it at most wood yards. The best 

 timber for the purpose is American whitewood, which 

 can be bought of any thickness, and in almost any 

 length. It is easilv worked, is free from knots, and if 

 desired can be stained and polished to resemble oak, 

 mahogany, and other hard woods. 



\VTien putting cages together, oval brads should 

 be used in preference to other nails; they are easy to 

 drive, hold well, and do not show much. To make a 

 good job of cage work, the joint at the back of the 

 cages (where two boards have to be used) should be 

 glued, which makes it much sounder, and does away 

 with one home for red-mite. If we decide to use white- 

 wood, this may often be obtained wide enough to make 

 the back of the cage, thus doing away with any 

 necessity for the use of glue. 



The wiring operation, which caused so much 

 trouble in the old days, is now very much simplified, 

 for the wire may be purchased in long lengths, ready 



