CANARY BIRDS. 71 



better than well smoothed and polished deal ; 

 but many persons dislike it, and it is merely 

 a fancy, perhaps, of my own, though having 

 seen how well it has answered, I have now 

 a preference for it. Mahogany is particu- 

 larly unsuitable to display the birds' bright 

 plumage. 



I am much in favor of a double set of 

 food-holders, changing them each day, so as 

 to insure a good washing, drying, and air- 

 ing. The boxes should be so arranged as 

 to be easily got at by doors, as the water 

 should be changed twice a day in summer, 

 and the seed daily. A mixture of old lime, 

 red sand, and chalk is useful in keeping 

 birds in health. 



I will give the exact working description 

 of an aviary cage I have lately had made 

 by the pattern, in great measure, of that 

 before alluded to. Woodwork entirely, of 

 well seasoned deal. Dimensions: height, 

 from floor to top, four feet, i. e. from floor to 

 spring of slope, three feet, and one foot 



