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troublesome pests, so the remedy is a very simple one. 

 Do not let it be thought, however, that I am advocating 

 the bath to the exclusion of other necessary measures. 

 If the birds are kept in a large flight cage indoors, 

 cover the floor with sand for nearly an inch, rake it 

 over thoroughly every day and change it twice a week. 

 If in an outdoor aviary less trouble isnecessar3% inas- 

 much as changing the sand once a week is sufficient, 

 raking it well over on the third or fourth day. Do not 

 throw the old sand away ; it is not only expensive to 

 keep buying new sand but also unnecessary. Get a 

 very fine mesh wire sifter and thoroughly pass all the 

 sand through it, going over it a second time if desir- 

 able, and throw the refuse away. Then spread the 

 sand out as thinly as possible — on large sheets of paper 

 will do — and let it dry in the sun and wind for at 

 least a day before putting it back into the aviary. And 

 when one has sprinkled over the whole a few hand- 

 fuls of prepared grit that one buys in bags, heigh 

 presto! our sand is as good as ever, minus a slight 

 waste each time. 



Cuttle fish shells, which are advantageous for the 

 birds to pick at, can be purchased at any bird shop, 

 though I very rarely bought any. There are generally 

 plenty to be found on our seashores wasliedup by the 

 tide, and it adds a zest to an early morning's walk to 

 hunt for a few when on one's holidays at the seaside. 

 I used to come back with fifty or sixty large pieces, 

 which were more than sufficient to last me until my 

 next visit. 



Keep the perches as clean as possible and use 

 dead boughs with the bark on in preference to straight 

 sticks. The former are, of course, more natural for 



