THE MUSICAL CHICKENS.
One of the most pleasing toys for children, which may be counted among those made by boys themselves, is this little coop of chickens. Make a box like Fig. 1, leaving off the top and back boards until the works are placed within it. The little bars which separate the chickens are thin strips of wood. In Fig. 2, a represents one of the chickens, which is also made of thin wood and painted yellow; a hole is made at b, to allow the passage of a strong stiff wire, upon which the chickens turn, and by which they are also kept in place. At the end, c, of each, a strong piece of linen thread is tied through a small hole bored for the purpose, and each line is caught to a separate nail, driven in the bottom of the box, just below the chicken, in such a manner that when it is drawn tightly in place it will just touch the roller d. Fig. 1 shows just where each chicken is placed, and how far their heads protrude through the bars. The ends of the wire, b, which holds them in place, can be fastened on one side by simply pushing one end into a hole bored partly through the wood to receive it; the other should be slipped into a groove made for it, and fastened in place by a wedge nailed just above it when in position. Fig. 3 shows the roller in full, and the little blocks or cams which are placed along its surface. These little cams are made of wood, not more than three-eighths of an inch thick, and are placed at such distances from each other along the roller that the middle point of each shall come opposite one of the threads.
Between these blocks, but so situated that they will not come in contact with any one of the threads, are little quills, driven into tiny gashes made in the roller. These quills are an inch long, and should all be of the same length. One end of the roller is fitted with a crank, while the other is fastened in place by a wooden pin or long nail. Below this, at either end of the box, is a curved bridge, e, into which grooves are cut and slender brass wires drawn very tightly, as seen in a violin. The curve made by the wires, however, is unlike that in the above-named instrument, being concave instead of convex. Now it will be seen that by placing the roller in such a position that the quills will strike the wires with some force as the wheel revolves, a constant tinkling sound like that of a toy piano is the result; and at the same time, as the little blocks come in contact with the strings, they push the thread backward, and in so doing lower the point c, and consequently raise the head of the chicken. The top of the extension in front of the bars is made of thin board and painted green, while a slight sprinkling of yellow over its surface represents the meal the chickens are supposed to be eating. The remainder of the box may be painted to suit the fancy of the maker.
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