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Mrs. E. Warren-Vernon,



SUCCESSFUL BIRD-KEEPING IN CAGES.


By E. Warren Vernon.


Seeing the letter from Mr. C. Barnby Smith re general

management of birds in confined spaces, I am encouraged to

offer a few hints on that subject, having had great success with

all these birds I now write of.


Although I do not like cages as a permanent habitation

for birds, still it is often an utter impossibility for one to keep

them either in aviaries or to give up a whole bird-room to them.

These suggestions may prove of use to those who, like myself,

often have to confine their pets in cages.


For single birds to commence with, such as the Shama,

Hangnest, Inca Jay, and such like, I use a cage of the following

dimensions:—Length, 30 inches; height, 16 inches; width, n

inches; door, 5 inches; wires half inch apart front and top;

wood, sides and back. I find air is fresher and the birds keep in

better health if top is open. Three perches only are given, made

to suit size of bird’s foot; food tins or glass arranged so that the

food keeps clean, well away from perches. If fruit is eaten I use

an S-shaped wire, like this, to hang on to side of cage and hold

fruit up. The bird does not then get it messed through its

being on the ground.


A large bath, narrow and long, is given ; as nearly all birds

(but specially fruit eaters) require this every day.


Cages should be enamelled inside, tray and all, as then the

wet sand will not rot the wood, and the often offensive smell will

be avoided. I keep always an extra cage, into which the birds

are turned in rotation, so that their cages may be frequently

washed out with Jeyes’ or other disinfectant fluid. The fronts

are all movable and every corner is easily got at.


For keeping several birds together I have two large cages.

Dimensions as follows :—the largest, in which are nine birds, is

length, 48 inches; height, 36 inches; breadth, 30 inches. A

division at 32 inches can be put up at will when cleaning or

catching one of the occupants. In this cage are swing perches

which I find all birds love. There is a food board six inches wide

on both ends, with glasses sunk in it for food and water. A big



