GENERAL CARE 69 



delicate birds are to be kept, provision must be made for 

 artificial heat. 



Each cage must, of course, have arrangements for food 

 and water. The former may be supplied in small dishes, 

 which are removed and thoroughly cleaned daily. Many of 

 the larger houses have a system of running water in each 

 cage; but if this is not convenient, any shallow receptacle, 

 sufficiently wide and preferably of enamel or agateware, 

 will answer. 



For the bottom of the cage sand is the best covering. 



Each indoor cage should connect with an outdoor flight, 

 the dimensions of which may be as liberal as space will 

 allow. If the installation is of a permanent character, con- 

 crete bases and angle iron are the most lasting. Otherwise 

 wooden posts, covered with one of the many preservative 

 fluids now on the market, will last for years. For the 

 smaller birds all wire used should be of half-inch mesh. 

 There are many types — diamond, hexagonal and square — 

 the first-mentioned being the most desirable so far as shape 

 of mesh is concerned. Larger birds, of course, are easily 

 confined with wire of larger mesh, but rats, half grown, 

 can easily pass through a space one inch square. It is much 

 better, therefore, to use the finer netting throughout, and 

 exclude rats as well as sparrows. Nothing larger than 

 three-eighths inch will keep out mice, and these pests are 

 the ever-present bane of the bird-keeper. Wire or concrete 

 should be run well into the ground, to prevent rats and other 

 marauders from digging under. If concrete bases are 

 used, they should be run up for at least a foot above the 

 ground. Otherwise, boarding should cover the lower part 

 of the outer walls, at least to prevent dogs and other in- 

 truders from alarming the inmates. 



The flights should contain as much natural vegetation as 

 possible, and more may be added as occasion requires. The 



