AVIARY.
The outside dimensions of the rustic aviary shown by [Figs. 111] and [112] are—length, 3 ft. 2 in.; width, 1 ft. 6 in.; height, 1 ft. 10 in.
Hazel sticks, with the bark on, should be used, the straightest obtainable being best for the frame; if at all crooked or bent, the sticks can be straightened by steaming, or, if not too dry, by the heat of a spirit lamp.
Four uprights, 1 ft. 5½ in. by 5/8 in., are first cut; then six rails, ½ in. thick, are made, with the ends shaped as shown in [Fig. 113], to fit the uprights, measuring 2 ft. 10 in. inside the hollow ends when finished. Four of these should be laid on the bench side by side, and marked with a pair of compasses for the wires, which are 5/8 in. apart. They are then drilled, the holes being bored right through the two sticks for the top rails, but only half through the bottom rails. If the stuff is not too hard, the holes may be pierced with a well-sharpened brad awl.
The uprights are now secured to the rails with 2-in. wire nails, driven so as to avoid the holes (see [Fig. 114]), and glue is applied at the joints. The bottom rail is flush with the lower ends, the next one being placed ½ in. above it; the third is ¼ in. from the top ends. These form the front and back frames, and should be quite square and out of winding. The rails for the ends, also six in number, measure 1 ft. 3 in., and are bored and fixed to the uprights to correspond with the others in exactly the same way.
Fig. 111.—Front Elevation of Aviary.