Water Fountaixs. 



31 



which Fig. 14 is a representation. It is made in two parts, as shown, and is filled by inverting the 

 bell-shaped portion which is then filled with water, after which the saucer is placed on and the 

 whole turned over, when there will be a narrow channel of water all round. The advantage 



Fig. 14. 



of this construction is that the green slime which always collects by degrees, and all other 

 offensive matter, can be perfectly cleaned out whenever necessary. Baily's Patent Fountain, 

 which is of metal, is also a good one ; but both are unfortunately much more expensive than 

 the common kind, which answers sufficiently well for practical purposes. 



In winter, if it be cold, the fountain should be carefully emptied every night, to prevent frost, 

 or if already frozen, be brought into the house to thaw, as fowls require to drink the first thing 

 every morning. Snow must on no account be allowed to fall in the fountains, for in any quantity 



Fig. 15. 



it has the singular property of reducing the birds in flesh and condition, so that they become mere 

 skeletons. The water should therefore be placed under shelter. In very severe climates, such as 

 North America or Northern Scotland, there is often considerable difficulty in keeping water from 

 freezing even in the day-time ; but the following ingenious plan (Fig. 15), for which we are again 

 indebted to the American Agriadtiirist, ansv/ers the purpose perfectly. In a tub or half- barrel a 

 large bottle is fixed slantwise, so that the mouth of the bottle is close to a notch cut in the rim of 

 the tub. The bottle is to be fixed in position by a few slips of wood nailed, and the tub then 



