30 Canaries and Cage-Birds. 



be found crammed with them. It is therefore wise to leave no holes to be crammed. The value 

 of this advice will be appreciated by those who know what pests these parasites are. 



Having bored the cross-pieces, replace them, and fix with one or two inch brads, and the 

 cage is ready for wiring. 



But the open space of one inch at the bottom — what is to be done with that } Fit into it, on 

 each side of the partition, a piece of wood of the same thickness as the cross-piece ; turn the cage 

 upside down and prick a hole through the bottom, through this piece of wood and into the cross- 

 piece above, about three inches from the end nearest the partition. Run a piece of stout wire 

 right through, and the " turn-rail " will revolve on it, affording an opening through which the cage 

 can be cleaned out by means of a small scraper, made by hammering the end of an iron rod 

 perfectly flat and bending it at right angles ; turn the other end into an eye, and let it have its 

 special nail to hang on. Many cages are made without this contrivance, in which case all the dirt 

 has to be lifted out with the hand — not the most desirable nor the most effective way of going to 

 work. In place of this turn-rail, a false bottom or tray is sometimes used ; but we are full against 

 false bottoms, as being cumbersome, very heavy, liable to warp, and of no practical value whatever. 

 If they be ever so well made the birds will always scratch the sand over the edges, in spite of any 

 beading which may be put round, and after the false bottom has been withdrawn a scraper has 

 still to be used to clear underneath, to allow of the tray being put in again. If this be not done, 

 the sand will either gather at the back or the tray will push it before it into a heap, and the 

 consequence is the concern won't shut up close. The turn-rail obviates all this inconvenience, and 

 has always been a special fancy of ours, as being easily made, in no way interfering with the 

 appearance of the cage, and a most efficient means to a necessary end. 



It will be seen that the space to^ be wired is just fourteen inches high, and to make strong 

 work of it each wire should be inserted at least a quarter of an inch into the wood ; they must, 

 therefore, be cut not less than from fourteen and a half to fourteen and three-quarters long. It is 

 best to order the number required from a wire-worker, who will cut and straighten them for a mere 

 trifle. The wire is partially straightened when drawn from the coil by passing it between a simple 

 arrangement of iron pegs ; but each piece has still a curve, and to make it absolutely straight is an 

 art acquired only by long practice, and is accomplished by pressure between the finger and thumb. 

 To straighten the hundred and fifty wires required for our cage is the work of only a few minutes 

 for the man who has done the same with as many thousands ; and when done they are straight, 

 which is more than we would care to vouch for if manipulated by unskilled fingers. In addition 

 to this small bundle of wires it will be necessary to have a piece of No. 14 thickness for a 

 strengthening cross-wire, a few yards of thin binding wire (technically "lapping" wire), and a pair 

 of cutting pliers. 



The actual operation of wiring is exceedingly simple. Pass the wire downwards through 

 the middle cross-bar; it ought not to slip through, but should require gently pulling with the 

 pliers, by means of which, being held near the end, it must be inserted in its proper hole and 

 pushed down to the bottom, or till the other end is clear of the lower edge of the top cross-piece : 

 this allows of the wire being inserted in the top hole without bending it, for though it has a 

 certain amount of elasticity, it is best not to have to try it too much in that direction. It will 

 be obvious that this is our reason for directing the holes to be pierced half an inch in 

 depth. The strengthening cross-wire must be run through behind the wires, midway between 

 the cross-bar and the top ; but before securing the wires to it we must direct attention to the 

 seed and water holes. 



We v/ere almost on the point of building our house without any windows — the door will 



