12 INTRODUCTION. 



III. HABITATION AND GENERAL TREATMENT. 



THE space required by cage-birds varies with the different 

 species, and the object with which they are confined. As far 

 as health and happiness are concerned, all are better in a 

 room, of which they have the entire range, than in a cage. 

 This room should be provided with boughs of fir and pine, 

 which ought to be cut in winter, or at the latest in March, in 

 order to prevent the leaves from falling off. Many species, 

 however, sing better when confined within so narrow a space, 

 that they can only communicate with their fellows by means 

 of song. 



Those birds which are kept only for their beauty, or the 

 elegance of their motions, should be kept in a room where they 

 can hop or fly about, and may perch at night either on the 

 above-mentioned pine boughs, or in a large cage, with nume- 

 rous divisions. Many birds as, for example, the Hedge - 

 Warbler and the Blue-throated Warbler sing better in this 

 modified species of liberty, than if confined in a cage. In the 

 case of those which, for their song's sake, it is advisable to 

 restrain within narrow bounds, the species of cage best adapted 

 for them depends on their natural habit of life, and the degrees 

 of liveliness in their disposition. A Lark must have a large, a 

 Chaffinch a small cage. A further question regards the intro- 

 duction of perches, which is decided by the bird's habit when 

 at liberty ; whether or not it lives on the ground. Such 

 perches are never placed in a Lark's cage, though indispensably 

 necessary in one intended for a Nightingale. 



Under all circumstances, cleanliness is an essential requisite 

 for the longevity of birds, as well as for their preservation in 

 health and spirits. Every fortnight at least were it done 

 every week the birds might be too much disturbed all cages 

 should be cleaned, all perches freed from dirt, and fresh river 

 sand strewed over the floor of the aviary. If this be not done, 

 not only does the general health of the little captives suffer 

 from the strong odour of the dung, but the feet, to which it 

 adheres, become lame ; gout and other diseases ensue, and the 

 loss of one or more claws is frequently the result. It must be 

 observed, however, that before cleaning a bird's feet, it is ne- 

 cessary to dip them in water, as otherwise the adhesive dirt is 

 apt to bring the skin with it ; a sore which not only produces 



