28 



British Cage Birds. 



are insectivorous, and foreign birds should, if possible, be 

 kept in a separate place ; so that, if all these varieties are 

 to be confined in the same room, it should be divided into 

 separate compartments by wired divisions. It vvould also be 

 advisable, in cases where you wish to breed with several 

 varieties, or with more than one pair of birds of the same 

 species, to place them first in a cage until an attachment is 

 formed, before putting them in the aviary ; but this plan 

 does not always insure safety, as birds display their taste in 

 the choice of partners very much in the same way as human 

 beings, but they rarely forsake one of their own species for 

 one of a different kind. If a small aviary is required, one 

 could be formed in the recess of a room, or in a portion of 

 the room only. Everything depends, as before stated, on 

 circumstances. 



I could continue giving information in this direction almost 

 ad infinitum, but I think I have said enough on the subject, 

 as that which I have given is of a practical character ; and 

 experience has taught me that true fanciers have sufficient 

 ingenuity, when an idea has been given them, to carry 

 it out to their satisfaction ; and this is all that can be 

 desired. I may mention that it is a commendable plan 

 to have aviaries which are intended for sitting or other 

 rooms, and made in the form of cages, placed on movable 

 stands, made in the form of tables on castors. The tops of 

 the stands should be quite 1ft. longer and wider than the 

 aviaries, so as to leave a clear space of Gin. all round them ; 

 and fitted round the top of the stand should be a frame, 

 about 2iin. high, to prevent the seed and dirt from getting 

 on to the carpets. One side or an end of the frame should 

 be fitted with hinges to let down, so that the dirt can readily 

 be swept off on to a dustpan. Glass borders placed round 

 cages are not altogether satisfactory, as they do not entirely 

 prevent dirt being scattered about the room, which is, of 

 course, objectionable. 



Cages. — The cages and other fittings shown in the follow- 

 ing pages will enable anyone to procure at the outset all that 

 is needed, and with the certain knowledge and satisfaction 

 that he will not be disappointed with his purchases, pro- 

 viding care is taken that they correspond in every particular 

 with the drawing and dimensions laid down. 



