CAGE AND SINGING BIRB^^. 
for almost every Lird-fancier lias his favourite ones ; but a" 
careful perusal of v/liat we have written and quoted upon 
this subject^ will enable our readers to judge foi- themselves 
what is best for their feathered pets to eat, drink, and a 
avoid. 
BREEDING AND REARING. 
Those who breed and rear cage-birds, especially of the 
more tender and delicate kinds, must make up their minds to 
bestow much time and attention upon them • if they cannot 
do this they will assuredly fail. The birds must not be left 
to themselves as in a state of nature ; every necessary has to 
be provided for them, of the right sort and at the right time; 
they must be guarded against extremes of heat and cold, 
as v/ell as fright and every sort of disturbance. If they 
cannot have the range of a room or aviary, with a choice of 
snug corners, furnished with boxes or little osier baskets, 
wherein to build and deposit their eggs, a commodious 
breeding-cage should be provided for each family, and sup- 
plied with hair, wool, moss, or other materials used by the ^jt 
little architects. If a single cage is used for more than | 
one pair of birds, it should be divided into compartments, '1 
otherwise it is likely that the males will fight and destroy i; 
the eggs, or disturb the sitting hens, and so render all hopes I 
of progeny futile. Much judgment is necessary in selecting 
the food of the breeding birds, so that it may suit the diges- 
tive capacities of the young they are rearing ; many die in 
the nest for want of attention to this. When the parent 
birds are free, instinct teaches them to select just such food ; 
as will answer the purpose ; in confinement they must be | 
supplied with the proper diet, as far as close observation and i 
analoo'ous reasoning will enable us to judge. General rules ^ 
on this head will scarcely be applicable to all cases, therefore 
we shall only attempt here a slight outline of treatment, to 
be filled up as experience and the requirements of individual 
species may dictate. 
First, then, let us observe that the room or cage should be 
made as like to nature as possible, by dressing it with boughs 
of evergreens ; let the cheerful sunbeams stream into it, and 
the fresh air find entrance ; if laden with perfume from some 
