Nest- Boxes. 



357 



birds against the intrusion of others. Another very useful nest I make out of empty cigar- 

 boxes, by simply nailing or tying the lid down, and then sawing the lid through midway, 

 removing the upper half, as seen in Figs. 80 and 81. Insects will rarely trouble a nest in an 

 old cigar-box, and birds do not object to tobacco at all. Those who desire a more ornamental 



Fir,. 77. — OPEN NEST. 



FIG. 79.— GERMAN CAGE AS NEST-BOX. 



nest-box will find the model .shown in Fig. 82 very useful. These boxes are made of polished 

 mahogany. 



For nesting material, anything liable to twist round the feet should be carefully avoided ; 

 therefore wool and every kind of thread should be rejected. Soft short hay has the disadvan- 

 tage that it retains moisture and becomes mouldy, and birds, bathing as freely when sitting as 

 at other times, bring a certain amount of moisture into their nests. Manilla hemp, or the hard 



NESTS MADE OF CIGAR-BOXES. 



FIG. 82. — MAIIOGA.NY NEST 



Straight aloe fibre used by matting makers, and sometimes as summer ornament for fire- 

 places, cut into lengths of six to eight inches, with a few very small feathers, I find better 

 nesting materials than any others, and suited to the wants of all my birds, from the hardiest 

 Weaver to the most delicate Waxbill, from Starling and Cardinal to Bulbul or foreign 

 Nightingale. 



Parrots nest in hollow trees, and occupy or scoop out a round or oval mould. Some few leave 

 a layer of particles of wood in this mould, others lay their eggs on the solid wood. To breed 



