[f. BIRD sb. + CAGE sb.]
1. A cage or coop for a bird or birds. Hence Bird-cage-like a.
1490. Test. Ebor., III. 57. De j lez bird-cage.
1662. Gerbier, Princ., 17. Those who seem to have had for Models Bird-Cages.
1784. Cowper, Acc. Hares, in Poems (1811), II. 425. I was cleaning a bird-cage while the hares were with me.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, 46. Fit for substantial Structures, but not usual in Lime and Haire Birdcage-like-Buildings.
c. 1662. Evelyn, Lett. to T. Chiffing, in Memoirs, etc. Rare Beasts & Fowls … presented to his Majesty, & which are daily sent to his Paradise at St. James’s Parke.
1691. Moses Pitt, Cries of the Oppressed, 105. I built a great House in Duke street, just against the Bird-Cages in St. Jame’s Park. [Hence the name Birdcage Walk.]
2. Sporting. The paddock at the Newmarket race-course in which horses are generally saddled.
1884. St. James’ Gaz., 1 May, 7/1. All the favourites were brought into the birdcage.
