MINTS ON CAGE MAKING. 



By W. LASKEF. 



(Reprinted from CAGE BIRDS ANNUAL. ) 



' EVERY fancier his own cage maker" is an axiom I 

 thoroughly believe in ; in fact, I consider a fancier's 

 education is incomplete until he is able to build his 

 cages to his own idea of comfort and usefulness. In 

 expressing this view I am not actuated by any antago- 

 nistic feeling to the professional cage-maker, but wish 

 rather to offer a few practical hints to the novice, 

 amateur, and those of our readers who desire to try their 

 skill in this direction! ; neither is it my intention in these 

 remarks to advocate any particular design, knowing as 

 I do the difference of opinion which exists amongst 

 fanciers as to the suitability and usefulness of their own 

 particular pet ideas. Two points, I venture to think, we 

 all agree upon, viz., utility and sanitation, which are 

 strikingly apparent when we compare one of our modern 

 breeding cages, fitted with punched bar soldered removal 

 fronts, glass, and earthenware fittings, with one of the 

 wretched old cages that did duty and was considered 

 the correct thing some twenty-five years since. 



I have at some time or other heard it expressed that 

 an industrious man can have but few vices. Be this as 

 it may, undoubtedly a congenial occupation is an 

 excellent antidote to ennui, and of all the work suitable 

 for home occupation cage-making, I think, must have 

 especial attraction to all lovers of cage birds. Proper 

 tools are a positive necessity in any kind of work we 

 may elect to enter upon, and experience teaches us that 

 certain appliances are indispensable if comfortable 

 working be desired. 



THE TOOLS REQUIRED. 



The tools required for cage-making are not by any 

 means numerous or expensive, and the capabilities of a 



