52 



British Cage Birds. 



bird catchers and dealers at very moderate prices, during the 

 autumn and spring months. 



Breeding Hybrids is, on the other hand, a most fascinating 

 pursuit, for, although it is attended by many difficulties and 

 reverses at times, it is, to those who view all apparent 

 obstacles as incentives to action instead of deterrents, a very 

 pleasing and profitable pastime. 



Goldfinch and Bullfinch Mules.— Of all the different 

 hybrids obtained by crossing two distinct varieties of British 

 birds, none afford more gratification than those produced 

 between the Goldfinch and Bullfinch. The specimens are 

 usually exceedingly pretty, and none of the hybrids are more 

 readily obtained. 



They may be bred either in a cage or aviary ; if in the 

 first-named, the dimensions should be as follows ; Height, 2ft. ; 

 breadth, 1ft. Gin. ; length, 3ft. The top, bottom, and back 

 should be of wood, and the ends and front a combination 

 of wood and wire, made in all respects similar to a breeding 

 cage such as is used for canaries, only it should be so con- 

 structed that the upper part at each end of the cage either 

 opens on hinges, or can be moved up and down in a wired 

 frame, so that free access can be had to introduce without 

 difficulty a small bush of furze, a shrub, or evergreen, or a 

 few cuttings from trees ; or for getting a nest-box in and out 

 when required. 



Where a cage is employed in preference to an aviary a 

 wooden nest-box, made in the form of an ordinary box (see 

 Fig. 13), without a lid, say Gin. in height, 4|-in. in width, 

 and 5in. or 5^in. in length, is necessary. The bottom of the 

 box should be made to project forward, say 2^in. to 3in. beyond 

 these dimensions, and on this projection a beading ought to be 

 fastened, to serve as a perch for the birds, on which they 

 can alight in going to and from the nest ; in the front of 

 the box a circular hole should be made, for ingress and 

 egress, and another in the bottom of it ; in the latter case, 

 it should be 3in. or 3;|:in. in diameter. This hole is for the 

 purpose of fitting in a nest-pan, which should be made of tin 

 or zinc, with a perforated zinc bottom, and with a rim about 

 ^in. in breadth, to keep it secure and in its proper place. 



The nest-box should be placed almost close to the roof of 

 the cage, and near the end of it ; a small hole being bored. 



