Our  Canaries      ~^  2^ 
Besides  this  there  is  so  much  fluttering  and  scaring  of  the  birds  during  the 
cleaning  out  process  that  the  work  will  probably  be  frequently  omitted  altogether 
during  the  breeding  season  in  order  to  prevent  the  serious  disturbances  during 
that  important  period.  The  motive  which  prompts  this  unintentional  negligence 
is  a  good  and  sound  one,  but  the  principle  itself  is  thoroughly  bad.  The  neglect 
comes  just  at  a  time  when  the  birds  themselves  are  most  susceptible  to  infectious 
disorders,  and  when  insanitary  conditions  are  most  likely  to  prove  a  source  of 
menace  and  danger  to  health. 
SINGLE  BREEDING  CAGE,  of  the  "box"  pattern,  fitted  complete  with 
nest  pan,  egg  drawer,  seed  hopper  and  water  vessel. 
The  turn-rail  permits  of  the  dirt  and  refuse  being  raked  out  with  ease  and 
expedition,  but  there  is  still  a  great  amount  of  unnecessary  disturbance  caused  by 
the  scraping  of  the  cage  bottom,  whereas  a  properly  made  tray  just  small  enough 
to  slide  out  freely  without  getting  jammed  by  grains  of  sand  settling  between  the 
sides  of  the  tray  and  the  ends  of  the  cage,  can  be  drawn  right  out  and  cleaned 
thoroughly  with  the  maximum  of  comfort  and  despatch,  and  without  the  slightest 
material  disturbance  of  the  birds.  In  practically  all  cases  the  cleaning  operations 
may  be  carried  out  with  perfect  safety  at  all  times  ;  even  whilst  the  hens  are 
sitting  or  feeding  young  chicks. 
D 
