8 Farmers' Bulletin 1327. 



INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AVIARIES. 



Those who keep birds for pleasure, and who do not care to breed 

 them for exhibition or to maintain any particular standard, may 

 receive much enjoyment from aviaries in which numbers of canaries 

 are kept in one inclosure. The size of the aviary or bird room will 

 be governed wholly by circumstances, as it may range from an entire 

 room to a small screened inclosure or part of a conservatory. A 

 room large enough for the owner to enter without unduly frighten- 

 ing the occupants makes an ideal indoor aviary, and where space 

 permits it may be fitted up without great expense. The floor should 

 be covered to the depth of half an inch to an inch with clean sand or 

 sawdust. Small evergreen trees planted in large pots furnish suit- 

 able decorations, and may be replaced from time to time as they 

 are destroyed by the inmates of the aviary. A branching dead tree 

 and one or two limbs nailed across corners at suitable heights fur- 

 nish more artistic ( perches than straight rods. In addition, pegs 4 or 

 5 inches long may be driven or nailed to the walls to furnish resting 

 places. 



Seed should be supplied in self-regulating hoppers, preferably 

 attached to the wall, and water given in self-feeding fountain con- 

 tainers. These become less dirty than open dishes placed on the 

 floor. Sand must be furnished in a box or dish where it is not used 

 on the floor. Soft foods and green foods may be supplied on little 

 shelves or a small table. At the proper season nesting boxes may 

 be hung on the walls, and nesting material supplied in racks or in 

 open-mesh bags hung to some support. A shallow pan of water may 

 be kept constantly on the floor or, better, may be inserted for an 

 hour each day for bathing. A screened flying cage may be built on 

 the outside of a window and the birds admitted to it in pleasant 

 weather. Perches, if of natural wood, should have smooth bark or 

 should be peeled, as crevices often harbor mites. Plants and other 

 decorations should not be placed so near the wall that birds may 

 be trapped behind them. 



Aviaries constructed out of doors, like bird rooms, may be made 

 simple or elaborate, large or small, according to circumstances. 

 Where there is sufficient ground available a small frame structure 

 may be built and covered with strong galvanized wire screen of 

 small-sized mesh. Part, at least, of the roof should be covered as a 

 protection against stormy weather, and two sides should be boarded 

 up to afford protection from cold winds. Where the winter climate 

 is severe it is necessary to build a closed addition with board or 

 cement floor and a connecting door, in which the birds may be pro- 

 tected during the cold season. Canaries when acclimatized, however, 

 can withstand moderately cold weather as well as native birds. 



The open portion of the aviary should have a board or cement base 

 sunk to a depth of 8 to 10 inches around the bottom to prevent en- 

 trance of rats, mice, or larger animals. If a fence with an overhang 

 at the top is not constructed to keep out animals, it is best to make 

 the screen walls double by nailing screen wire to both sides of the 

 wooden frame, so that birds clinging to the wire may not be in- 

 jured by cats or dogs. Where space does not permit an elaborate 

 structure a lean-to may be built against another wall to make an 

 inclosure large enough for a number of birds. Where needed, the 



