50 THE SPEAKING PARROTS. 



linen. One must carefully guard against catcliing hold firmly 

 and tightly of any bird, parrots included, and must handle them 

 as little as possible. Above all things, one must never 

 pull out or break off a newly-sprouting feather with a still 

 bleeding quill ; for by this, on the one hand, the plumage 

 is spoilt, and, on the other, there is danger of severe 

 hsemorrhage and weakening. It is, of course, advisable that 

 the drawing of the stumps, as well as all other painful or 

 unpleasant operations of the kind, should not be done by 

 the owner, but by some stranger, especially when the bird 

 is newly imported or only lately acquired. This person must 

 be thoroughly trustworthy, not rough and unskilful, and, if 

 possible, accustomed to such operations. 



Before I enter upon the actual diseases of parrots I must again 

 notice the subject of moulting, or change of feathers, before 

 mentioned, which may, at least, under some conditions, be 

 regarded as a disorder. Whereas our native birds are known 

 to moult, more or less, regularly every year, this process fails 

 with most parrots, as I before remarked, and it cannot yet be 

 determined whether this is natural or the result of captivity. 

 In any case, the parrot-keeper must take it into con- 

 sideration. In speaking of the care of the plumage, I have 

 given directions how to remove the old stumps of the 

 feathers, which would otherwise remain fixed, probably, for 

 years. This must be done not only for the sake of appear- 

 ance and to obtain the renewal, as soon as possible, of the 

 wing and tail feathers, but it is also absolutely necessary 

 for the restoration and preservation of health. If, owing to 

 the captive state, the parrot retains the injured plumage 

 too long a time, many dangers may arise, and, by the pluck- 

 ing out of the feathers, it is sought to induce an artificial 

 moult. 



It must not be forgotten that the feather on the other wing, 

 or on the other half of the tail corresponding to the one which 

 has been pulled out, will fall out of its own accord, so that it 

 would be an unnecessary trouble and torment to the bird if one 

 were, for example, to pull out the first three pinions on each 

 wing at the same time. 



If, however, an old parrot maintains an irreproachable 

 plumage for years together, without renewal, it is by no means 

 necessary to produce an artificial moult ; it is much better that 

 its feathers should receive only partial treatment. This includes, 



