PRESERVATION OF HEALTH. 51 



above all things, careful physical attention in general, besides 

 regular, abundant, and especially nourishing food, and the 

 observation of all the other rules for management which I have 

 already given. I may mention that the change of plumage 

 goes on more slowly and with greater difficulty in the case of 

 emaciated, weak, or old birds, and, therefore, at the commence- 

 ment, particularly if it be artificially produced, the parrot must 

 be well nourished ; the best hemp seed, eggbread or biscuits, 

 also a teaspoonful of fresh ant grubs every day, a teaspoonful 

 of good wine, and perhaps, also, from one to three, or at the 

 most five drops of malic acid or tincture of iron, in the 

 drinking water, or with the wine upon biscuit, may be highly 

 recommended ; finally, a warm dry lodging and occasionally a 

 bath. 



In the plumage of the large parrots down often grows to a 

 great extent, and, in consequence, apart from the necessity of 

 movement in itself, every parrot must have a cage as large as 

 possible, so that it may, by flapping its wings, subject its whole 

 body thoroughly to the air. In case the cage, as only too often 

 happens, is not sufficiently large, the parrot must be let out 

 every day for a longer or shorter period, and then be accustomed 

 to flap its wings well upon the perch in the upper part of the 

 cage, as described on p. 22. If one has to deal with a wild 

 bird which bites, and which cannot be let loose from the cage, 

 or with an old stager which will no longer come out of its own 

 accord, and which, not being accustomed to it, becomes very 

 terrified when taken out by force, it is best to blow through the 

 feathers with a little hand bellows or an indiarubber syringe. 

 Even if it be very frightened on the first occasion, yet it will 

 soon get used to it, and after a short time it will hold out 

 its feathers voluntarily to the artificial wind. If the down be 

 not removed at all it may interrupt the action of the skin by 

 stopping up the pores, and thus cause boils, internal disease, or 

 extreme irritation, which latter often leads to the unfortunate 

 habit of self-plucking. 



A well kept bird of any kind should never have neglected 

 feet, for if they are dirty, covered with filth, sore, or festering, 

 they not seldom cause disease and death. Cleanliness, dry sand, 

 and frequent baths are the best means of keeping them in order. 

 Above all things the parrot needs a perch completely in accord- 

 ance with nature. (See p. 22.) Neglected feet should be 

 cleaned with a soft brush, warm water, and soap (catching 



E 2 



