keeping any bird in captiv ity, it should be the constant endeavor to make the surrounding conditions as natural as possible. When free. all birds are scrupulously clean; even the worst carrion-eaters keep themselves clean from dirt of every kind. 'Therefore cleanliness in the cage is one of the first matters to be attended to, and this is obviously of special im portance when the attractive feature of the bird consists of remarkably developed plumes, like some of the tail-feathers of the whydah-bird. The cage should he large enough so that the bird may move about freely and change its posi tions easily without injuring its tail-feathers or any plumage ornaments. The perches should al ways be of soft, unpainted wood, and not too slender. The bird should have plenty of light. except at night; artificial light is almost •er tainly injurious, and cages in illuminated rooms should be veiled. The cage ought not to be in direct sunlight except in winter, and even then only for a comparatively short time. Water should be given a bird plentifully and ought to be always fresh. :Most birds enjoy a bath, and opportunity should be frequently given for a bird to wash itself; the basin ought to have a dark interior, or gravel on the bottom. so that the bird may judge the depth of the water. After a bath the bird should be placed in the sun until dry. Occasionally, if possible, let the bird out of the cage and permit it to exercise in the larger freedom of a room or similar inelosure. \lost birds need to be protected from sudden changes, draughts, and extremes of temperature, so that the cage ought not to hang near an open window or a door likely to be opened. except, perhaps, out still summer days; but fresh air is a prime necessity for most birds, and artificial heat, especially if very dry, is usually injurious. Owing to lack of exercise, by which they can be worn away, the nails and sometimes the bills of captive birds become so overgrown as to be a serious detriment to the health; therefore. oppor tunity for scratching ought to be provided in the shape of sand or heavy sandpaper. while for the bill a piece of cuttlefish-bone or sonic similar substance should be attached to the sides of the cage. Birds should never be unduly alarmed. Like all other animals, they deserve and will re pay perfect kindness and gentleness in their treatment.
Food.—Most of the ailments of cage-birds come from an improper diet. The food may not be of the right sort, or it may be too scanty or too abundant. Few, if any, cage-birds are exclu sively insectivorous, but even those which nor mally take much insect food also eat more or less vegetable matter. Insectivorous birds may be given meat when insect food is not abundant, and it is said that a diet of spiders is particu larly good for such birds when they are not in perfect health. Nearly all •age-birds will eat seeds, and as a universal bird-food the seed of is unequaled. It may he mixed with rape or hemp. and millet and even oats are sometimes used. Even parrots like canary-seed and are said to thrive on it. Seed-eating birds ought, however, to be given fresh vegetable mat ter sometimes, in the form of soft green leaves or fruit that is not acid. Such plants as chick weed and lettuce, put into the cage cool and fresh. are a valuable addition to the bird's diet. The greatest danger to birds is hi overfeeding. underfeeding being very unusual. If a bird shows signs of ill health, it should, be placed in a fresh cage, in new surroundings, given rather less food and that of the simplest kind. A drop of castor-oil placed in the bird's mouth by means of a brush often proves beneficial, but the chief reliance should be placed on changed surroundings, quiet, and a simple diet.
Aviaries are outdoor enclosures in which birds are kept and reared in comparative freedom. They are common in the tropics and in England, but the harsher climate of the United States and other conditions have rendered them less popular here than is desirable. Aviaries, however, are really only large cages, and governed by similar rules. The breeding of cage-birds is a special department. instructions for which will he found in the books mentioned below. See CANARY; PARROT; BULLFINCH, and the names of various other cage-birds.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. Bechstcin, Cage and Chamber Bibliography. Bechstcin, Cage and Chamber Birds (London, 1864; a most complete work; colored plates) ; Greene. Notes on (London, 1899; illustrated) ; Dixon, Dovecote and Aviary (London, 1851) ; Holden, Book on Birds (Boston, 1875) ; Greene. Diseases of Cage Birds (London, 1897). See Plate of CAGE-BIRDS.