288 CLASS AVES. 



9 



common species, with those of the cock pheasant and the 

 common hen, the duck of India and our domestic breed. 



For the breeding cage given to the canary, the most con- 

 venient is that which is long, wide in proportion, and of a 

 good elevation ; so that the bird may have room to fly and 

 move about, by which means it becomes stronger and more 

 robust. It should not have drawers at the two sides, like 

 other bird-cages, for it is necessary that the little prisoner 

 should always be plainly seen. The drawers should be 

 placed below on the ground of the cage, and made to draw 

 out together. They should, moreover, be grilled over inside 

 the cage at certain intervals, so that the bird, being only able 

 to pass its head, cannot overturn its food and drink. A 

 cage thus constructed presents many advantages : — 1. The 

 bird cannot conceal itself from view by any movement. 



2. It has not its food so constantly under view when it is 

 perched upon the sticks : it eats less frequently, and grows 

 less fat, which prevents diseases that result from over eating. 



3. It is a great advantage to the birds, when indisposed, or 

 any thing is the matter with their feet, to find their food 

 without being obliged to mount on the perches, where fre- 

 quently they cannot sustain themselves. 



The best breeding cages are those which are constructed of 

 oak or hazel wood, and the bottoms and drawers of which are 

 all of a piece. Those of deal are cheaper, but have one 

 great inconvenience: after a year's wear they are apt to 

 warp, and afford a retreat for mites and bugs. The four 

 faces should be of iron wire, with two doors at the two sides, 

 as large as the middle one. Such a cage is preferable, 

 because the birds may always be seen in it, in whatever posi- 

 tion they may be. The two doors serve to facilitate the 

 passage of the canaries from one cage to another without 

 touching or frightening them, if the change be necessary for 

 any purpose. With a number of cages of this construction, 



