Bird-keeping, by the author of 'Domestic pets'.

about the same prices; a Whitethroat and Garden Warbler somewhat less.

A Woodlark, newly caught, 5s.; in full song, from 105. to £1. A Skylark, newly caught, 2s. 6d. to 5s.; in full song, from 10s. to £1. A Song Thrush from 5s. to £1. A Blackbird about the same. A Starling, taught to talk, from Ios. to £1.

CAGES.

I can

These abound in all sizes, shapes, and kinds. only mention a few of the most useful description. Aviary cage, with compartments having two movable partitions, waggon-shaped, 3 ft. 3 in., in lacquered brass, £5, in white wire, £3. This is a very useful cage for foreign birds, as the divisions would permit birds of various sizes to be kept in it: for instance, a number of tiny Waxbills, etc., might inhabit the centre, and Australian Finches, or Diamond and Cutthroat Sparrows, Indigo Bird, Nonpareil, Madagascar Bird, or Bishop Birds might live in the side compartments. Another pretty cage of the same kind has a dome and two arches. It is 3 ft. 6 in. by 18 in., and in lacquered brass costs £5, in white wire, £4; a smaller cage 3 ft. by 16 in. in lacquered brass, £4, in white wire, £3. A waggonshaped cage, suitable for eight or ten pairs of very small birds to live together in, 18 in. by 12 in., of lacquered brass, costs 25s., in white wire, £1; the same, but smaller, 15 in. by 10 in., lacquered brass, 18s., white wire, 155.; 13 in. by 9 in., lacquered brass, 14s. 6d., white wire, 125.; 11 in. by 8 in., lacquered brass, 10s. 6d., white wire, 8s. 6d. All these cages are particularly nice and convenient for birds, no space or comfort being sacrificed to ornament. I have mentioned the prices of those made of the best mahogany,

with sand-drawers and bottoms in solid mahogany (less liable to warp and less likely to harbour insects than deal cages, which would be somewhat cheaper). Breedingcages may be had of various sizes and prices, from 3s. 6d. to 35s., according to size and material. The most useful is, I think, about 22 in. long, 14 in. high, and 10 in. deep. This made in deal, with polished mahogany fronts, whitened inside, with a compartment for young birds, and completely fitted up with glasses, tins, etc., would cost 10s. 6d.

A Parrot's cage would vary in price from 15s. to 25s., and cages for single birds, made of wood and wire, bellshaped, from 7s. 6d. to 12s. 6d. An ordinary round cage for a Canary would be 3s. 6d., 4s. 6d., or 5s. 6d. Some of the metal cages are very handsome. The Zollverein cages vary from 3s. 6d. to £1; a pretty cottage cage of this kind would cost 7s. 6d. Bird-glasses cost from id. to 4d. each; "pegging-pots" (small covered tins with round holes, preventing the birds from washing in them) 3d. or 4d. each; bird-hoppers for seed, with two holes, Is. 6d., with three, 25., with four, 2s. 6d.—very useful for large cages. Baths in metal, Is. and 1s. 6d. each; in wood and wire, with pan, 3s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. each. Scrapers, 4d. each, used to scrape the cage when the drawer is taken out, are very useful; the sand and seed settle at the back, and cannot be cleared out without tilting up the cage, much to be deprecated when there are eggs or young birds in it.

SEED.

Canary-seed is sold at 6d. the quart, 3s. the peck, 12s. the bushel. Hemp-seed at 6d. the quart, 3s. the peck. Flax and rape-seed each at 6d. the quart. These four seeds are sometimes sold mixed at 3s. the peck.

German sweet summer rape-seed, generally called "birdturnip," is sold at is. the quart: that grown in England will not do as well for the birds.

Indian millet is ordinarily Is. the quart, but when scarce, Is. 6d. Birds are very fond of this in the ear, and thirtysix sprays may be had for Is. The common French millet

costs 8d. the quart.

Groats, very good for Canaries, are 8d. the quart. Maw or moss-seed, 8d. the pint.

The colifichet, or rings of French bread made for birds, cost is. for eight rings. German paste, 8d. per pound (for soft-billed birds). No bird should be without a piece of cuttlefish hung up in its cage: it is pure carbonate of lime, and very wholesome, and almost all birds delight in pecking at it: seven pieces are sold for 6d.

Bird-gravel is of course an essential: it is sold at Is. per peck.

I have, I believe, mentioned everything requisite for birds of all species here, or in the course of this little volume. Nest-bags I have not spoken of, as they are often receptacles for insects; moss, cow-hair, or doe-hair, and a very little cotton wadding (without which some birds will not build), are all that is required.

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