282 CaA' ARIES AND CaGE-BirDS. 



experiment. That height or room above the bird is important we have been quite certain of, and 

 hence no doubt the large and cumbrous cages described in the chapter on that variety. It is, 

 however, usual to hold a Belgian cage against the wall, partially covered with a pocket-hand- 

 kerchief; and hence we have every reason to believe that our "general purpose" cage of Fig. 69, 

 with the top open, would, if made high aioiigh, perfectly suit even the Belgian bird. We mention 

 this point, and the reasons for our conclusions, because more uniformity of appearance at Canary 

 shows is very desirable. For such purposes we should advise the cage being eighteen inches high, 

 and not less than eight inches from front to back, no Belgian or Yorkshire standing well in a small 

 space ; for all other birds, twelve or thirteen inches in height, thirteen inches width, and five and 

 a half inches depth, may be given as standard sizes. 



The construction, use, and packing of Scotch Fancy cages have been described in the chapter 

 upon that variety. 



To have the cages clean and well painted is important, and the following directions on this 



subject are kindly supplied by Mr. Legge, who combines a knowledge of Canaries a?id painting 

 at Boden Street, Derby. Fancy open cages, framed with mahogany or other good wood, should 

 first have a coat of what is sold at the colour-shops as " gold-size ; " and when this is dry, apply 

 two coats of what is known by the name of oak varnish. This will look equal to polishing, and 

 preserve the cage. The gold-size first is necessary to make the varnish dry properly, and its 

 omission is the cause of failure in varnishing by many amateurs. Cages such as those shown in 

 Figs. 66 to 69 are generally blacked outside, and flatted with pale blue inside. For the outside 

 nothing can be better than a bottle of Brunswick black ; it has a good body, and will cover the 

 bright wires, dries quickly, and is hard. The inside may be done in two ways. For the first, 

 dissolve one ounce of Colman's white starch in a little cold water, and add boiling water in the 

 usual manner so as to make it tolerably stiff. Then add to this one pound of whiting, powdered 

 very fine, and a little idtramarine blue, of which one ounce will last for a good many paintings. 

 Lay on with a small tool, or a good shaving-brush will answer very well, laying the colour on 

 downwards. Care should be taken to get the real ultramarine blue and not common whitewash 

 blue, which latter gives a greenish shade very prejudicial to the colour of the birds, especially if 

 cayenne-fed. The starch makes this distemper wash nice and stiff, and also prevents the colour 



