28 Canar/es axd Cage-Birds. 



compartments by a central partition, which can either be the entire height of the cage or only half 

 the height, the upper half sliding in and out in a groove. The only advantage gained by this is 

 that when the breeding season is over the slide can be withdrawn and the two compartments 

 thrown into one ; if an entire partition be used it must have an aperture in the centre, about three 

 inches square, which can be opened or closed at pleasure by means of a door suspended on 

 a screw, and which serves as a mode of communication between the two compartments. In place 

 of this aperture a small slide is sometimes used, the various arrangements being shown in the 

 illustration ; but these and other minor fittings are entirely matters of taste. For our own part 

 we object to sliding partitions as involving so much more work in making the cage, which is a 

 consideration when a man is his own joiner and cabinet-maker. Our liking has always been to 

 have everything as plain as possible, and to have no sort of complications about a cage when a 

 simpler appliance would answer the same purpose. We mention these things, however, at this 

 stage of our work, because these details must be decided on before the front is made. And while 

 the box is still open and in this crude shape, we may as well direct attention to the fact that if 

 a half-partition and large slide be used, the lower groove in which the slide works will have to 

 be gouged out on the top edge of the partition, and the upper groove will have to be made in the 

 same way on the lower edge of a piece of wood nailed to the inside of the cage at the top. But 

 we think this all means extra work, finished with a precision the amateur joiner may not find 

 it easy to acquire all at once. He has to choose, therefore, between an entire partition with a 

 central aperture or small sliding-door, or a half-partition with a large slide. The entire partition, 

 with central aperture, is the easiest to make, and we are inclined to think will be found the 

 simplest and also the best arrangement. 



In the drawing which we furnish of a breeding-cage, it is divided into three sections, each 

 intended to illustrate one or other of the various modes of construction we have described. The 

 bottom section represents the unfinished cage, with wooden cross-bar and wooden framed door 

 pierced ready for wiring. It also shows a fixed partition with central aperture, on the further side 

 of which is supposed to be the small door hanging on a screw, and turned up out of sight to allow 

 of communication between the two compartments. The method of fixing the door is also shown, 

 though it can be seen more clearly in the larger illustration to be given presently. 



The middle section shows a wired front, which can either be made a fixture by being inserted in 

 the woodwork, and so becoming part and parcel of the whole, or it can be made in one piece, and 

 attached by small staples. This latter method, however, is almost beyond the scope of amateur 

 wire-working. The doors swing on a stout upright wire. The upper portion of the partition forms 

 a slide which, v/hen withdrawn, turns the cage into a " flight " or " fly-cage." 



The upper section illustrates a fixed wired front ; sliding, self-closing doors ; and a movable 

 partition. Tlie precise construction of the door will be more clearly indicated in an enlarged 

 cut. 



Our box now requires a front, and here again we inculcate the principle that simplicity 

 is the first law in cage-making. There are three kinds of fronts which the cage-maker can 

 choose from : wire fronts, which are best made by practical wire-workers and are the most 

 expensive ; wired wooden frames, which it requires some little skill to turn out neatly ; and a 

 front which is really not a front, but which is formed by wiring the front of the box itself — a 

 thing any amateur can do, and do well, with the exercise of not half the care and skill 

 required in making a wired frame. The only advantage to be gained by the use of a movable 

 front is tliat it can be entirely removed for the purpose of thorough-cleaning the in.ide of the 

 cage — an operation that can be performed just as well through a properly-constructed door. The 



