140 APPENDIX. 
8. The front of the cage should have a piece of coarse canvas to let down as a blind to 
keep the birds quiet; and, in order to give them air, round holes should be bored at the back 
of the box in the upper part. 
9. The box should be cleaned out when the birds are fed, through the opening in. front 
made by removing the feeding-trough, care being taken that this opening is not wide enough 
to let the birds escape. 
10. In order to supply the birds with green food during the voyage, a few small trays 
{the same as are used to hold the sand or gravel) may be sown with seeds, such as rape, mustard, 
or any quick-growing vegetable. The green food thus produced should be cut for them from 
time to time, and the sand and roots afterwards thrown into the cages. 
The following plan of securing any recently-caught or very wild bird in such 
a manner that it is unable to injure itself by dashing against the sides or top of 
the cage, may be of much use in transporting wild birds; it is identical with that 
used by falconers, and termed by them brailing :— 
To secure each wing, two pieces of string or tape of equal length must be taken, and 
two knots tied, as shown in the engraving, so as to form a central loop with loose ends. 
This loop must be of a size proportionate to that of the wing of the bird to be secured. 
When used the loop is passed over the fore part of the wing, and one set of loose ends are 
brought up behind, between the wing and the body, and secured by being tied to the other 
set, as shown in the right hand figure. If this is properly done, there will be no pressure 
on any part of the wing, nor need a single feather be ruffled or deranged; nevertheless flight 
is entirely prevented, as the bird has no power of expanding the wings. When properly brailed 
the wildest bird may be placed on the ground, where it can run about freely but without the 
least power of flight. This plan is one of great utility mm the transport of very wild birds, as 
they are quite unable to dash themselves against the roof or sides of the cage im which they 
are inclosed. 
I need hardly say that should a bird be confined a long time in this manner it would 
be necessary to loosen the wings alternately, otherwise a stiff or contracted joint might ensue. 
This would be obviated by allowing the bird the free use of each wing for a short period. 
