CAGES. 



7 



what is better, ^in. parallel trellis. The wire should be tinned and 

 of the best quality. Fastenings should be made of tlie same pattern 

 as those used for bird cages, as they are simple and not easily 

 deranged if used fairly. These are the ordinary breeding cages. If 

 more than two mice are kept in the small cages, or seven in the 

 larger ones, two inches additional width and length should be 

 allowed for each mouse, or they will soon fret away and die. From 

 one to a dozen extra cages should be kept according to the stock. 

 For travelling we used boxes 6in. by 6in. by 4in. ; half covered with 

 stout perforated zinc is the best. In no case may mice he sent per 

 post. 



Fig. 2 shows a show box or cage 12in. by 6in by 6in. at back, wood 

 sides and back, and curvilinear wire top. Comparatively light wire 



. .. ,2 _ 



Fig. 2. Show Cage. 



should be used for these cages, and the wires should be about 7-16th3 

 of an inch asunder. For dark mice light wood, and for light, or 

 white mice, dark wood should be used to form the greatest contrast 

 and show the animals up to the greatest advantage. No nest place 

 is required in these cages. 



Besides the foregoing, wheel cages like the ordinary squirrel cages 

 are sometimes used, but we object to them, as the mice soon have 

 sore feet. Fancy cages can be made of any form, but these are not 

 so suitable for the inhabitants as the preceding. JMechanical cages, 

 too, are, or were, in great request, but they, generally being worked 

 by a wheel, are open to the same objection as the wheel cages. 



Wire cages, both square and dome-shaped, are objectionable, as 

 they are, in the first place, too cold, and, in the second place, too light, 



