Our  Canaries 
29 
existence  by  consigning  them  to  the  flames  forthwith,  and  burning  them  and 
all  their  visible  and  invisible  concomitants  together.  The  bottom  of  these  boxes 
is  sometimes  made  with  a  piece  of  perforated  zinc  instead  of  wood  to  give 
better  ventilation,  and  also  to 
further  reduce  the  harbour  for 
insects.  There  is  little,  if  any- 
thing, to  be  gained  by  the  prac- 
tice. Insect  pests  can  be  quite 
efficiently  dealt  with  in  the 
manner  already  described,  whilst 
bottom  ventilation  of  the  nests  is 
sometimes  given  too  much  im- 
portance. It  is  really  doubtful 
whether  its   advantages    are  of 
WIRE  RACK  to  hold  nesting  material.  much  practical  value. 
WHAT  THE   GERMAN   BREEDERS  USE. 
A  type  of  nest  in  use  among  some  German  breeders  consists  of  merely  a 
wire  framework  in  the  shape  of  a  nest,  with  two  hooks  for  hanging  on  to  the 
wires  of  the  cage.    This  kind  of  nest  is  chiefly  used  in  the  open  wire  cage, 
which  has  been  referred  to  as  a 
type   of  the  cage  favoured  by 
some  breeders  in  Germany.  In 
this   country    it    is  very  rarely 
met  with,  doubtless  owing  to  the 
scarcity  of  open  wire  cages  for 
breeding  in. 
The  old-fashioned  type  of 
rush  nest  woven  in  basket-work 
in  the  shape  of  a  nest,  with  two 
little  ears  for  pegging  it  on  to 
wires  in  any  position,  may  also 
still  be  obtained  for  about  a 
penny  each.  But  their  use  in  these  days  of  modern  pottery  appliances  is 
strictly  limited.  In  the  first  place,  they  are  altogether  too  small  for  any 
save  the  smallest  breeds,  such  as  Rollers  or  Border  Fancies.  Given  greater 
facilities  for  hanging  them  in  other  parts  of  the  cage,  away  from  the  wires,  it 
is  a  type  of  nesting  receptacle  which  may  well  be  developed  in  the  direc- 
tion of  increased  diameter  and  a  more  substantial  rim  around  the  top.  At 
present,  however,  its  utility  is  almost  limited  to  aviaries  or  enclosed  spaces 
where  bushes  or  growing  shrubs  are  provided  as  an  imitation  of  natural  nesting 
WIRE  NEST  PAN,  which  is  lined  with  a 
cup- shaped  piece  of  thick  felt. 
