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This free article is re-published by Eastman Publishing from "Every Man His Own Mechanic," which was originally published sometime around the 1860's to 1880's. Actual original publication date is unknown. Although this material is antique in nature, we're sure you should find it useful to build an aviary, backyard structure, or home for your birds.
Leveling and staking out area. A level piece of ground having been selected, or made if necessary, the area on which the aviary is to be built must be staked out with care. The amateur may make a four, five, six, seven, or eight-sided building as he/she may prefer; but he/she will find a six or eight-sided structure the most convenient and far prettier than the four-sided aviary in appearance. Construction of building. Supposing that it is decided to build an octagonal aviary, as shown in the annexed diagrams, a stout post must be reared in the center, and eight posts of yellow deal, about 2 1/2in. square, at the eight corners of the building. The bottoms of the uprights, which should be charred and well tarred, should be bedded in concrete, and the concrete bedding should be continued all round the site, as high as the ground level or a little above it. Baseboards. To these posts, at the very bottom, resting on the concrete sill, should be nailed stout inch boards to serve as a baseboard or plinth. These maybe from 9in. to 18in. wide, according to the height of the house and the fancy of the builder. The baseboards may be recessed into the posts, or nailed on outside and neatly mitered at the corners. Above, round the top of the posts, a wall plate should be attached in a similar manner. Rafters and roof. The rafters for the support of the roof should rest one end on the uprights and the other end against the post C, which rises, as it has been said, in the center of the building. This post may be dispensed with, if preferred, but in this case a block of wood must be introduced at the apex of the roof, against which all the rafters may abut, after the manner of rafters against the ridge-board or pole of a span roof. The ends of the rafters should project beyond the baseboard, so as to take the drip from the roof, beyond the outer surface of the baseboard. This is shown in the plan of the building in the illustration above, by the line A' B' C' D' E' F', which projects considerably beyond the line A B C D E F, which denotes the outer face of the baseboard. The roof may be weather-boarded or covered with boards placed edge to edge, vertically or horizontally, and covered in their turn with the ordinary roofing felt, or the Anglo-Danish Patent Asphalt Roofing Felt, which is noticed elsewhere, and is an excellent material for roofing purposes. To the ends of the rafters, a little within the edge of the roof, an ornamental barge-board should be nailed, as shown in the first illustration. The roof should be surmounted at its very apex by a cap, on which a ball and spike is placed, which may be gilt. If considered desirable, drip from the roof may be prevented by running a light gutter of wood or zinc round the edge, and carrying the water to the ground through a pipe fastened against one of the pillars. Sides of structure. With regard to the manner in which the sides are filled up, this must depend very much upon the situation of the aviary. If it be in a very sheltered spot, all the apertures may be closed with frames, on which wire netting has been stretched. Of these, one must be made to open and shut, but to guard against accidents it should be secured by a padlock. Swing-flap at bottom. As it will be dangerous to throw this door open at all times for the admission of water, etc., provision should be made for its easy introduction by having a swing-flap at the bottom of one of the fixed panels, by means of which the bottom of the aviary can be reached easily. Perches for birds. The birds will roost in the roof on perches running from the central pole to the rafters, and if there be no central pole, the timber against which the rafters abut should be carried low enough, say as far as the bottom of the ornamental barge-board, so as to carry the inner ends of the perches. Sides in exposed situation. If the situation be exposed, three out of the eight sides facing north-west, north, and north-east, or north-north-east, and east may be permanently boarded up, and painted or colored white inside, that the birds may be clearly perceptible against this background, which will show up their plumage. Protection in stormy weather. It will also be advisable to have frames covered with painted canvas or straw matting, etc., which may be placed against any of the wired sides to keep out driving rain or a boisterous rough wind. Bottom of aviary. The bottom of the aviary should be of concrete, sprinkled with sand, and a little lime taken from an old wall or any old building. Brackets, etc., for building. Brackets and supports can be placed within, on which the birds may build and breed, but if possible these should be in such a position and so contrived that the birds may be out of sight, and in seclusion when sitting. It is scarcely necessary to say that the small-wired flap, as well as the principal means of entrance, should be secured by a padlock, and that one person only should keep the key and attend to the wants of the birds, as any carelessness in leaving the doors unlocked might lead either to the escape of the birds or the entrance of a cat, who would make short work of the rightful occupants of the aviary with its teeth and claws.
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