196 



ilBritisb JSiv^ (Siuer\? auD TReplp. 



TREATMENT OF A MAGPIE. 



Question. Would you kindly give me some advice about 

 a Magpie. Ever since I have had him he has been wheezing, 

 and breathes very loudl}'. I fancy he must be suffering from 

 asthma. He seems very well as a rule, but any sudden change 

 in the temperature seems to affect him. 



Is there an\' cure for him, or can I give him anything to 

 alleviate his sufferings ? The food given is insect food (home- 

 made, containing a large proportion of egg food), insects when 

 procurable, fruit, and occasionally a little minced meat. He 

 was much troubled with vermin, but seems better after several 

 good applications of "Keating's." A. W. H. H. 



AnSiUer. The querist omits two important items in his 

 inquiry re INIagpie, viz. the size of the cage it is kept in, and 

 the ingredients of the "home-made " food it is fed on. 



From my experience I am of opinion that Magpies ought 

 never to die in captivity from any cause other than old age. I 

 have always found them very hardy birds, which thrive well 

 on the plainest diet ; but from their size and large appetites it 

 is most essential that they be kept in a large cage where they 

 can exercise themselves thoroughly. Then, if provided with a 

 frequent ])ath, or occasionally sprayed with the garden syringe, 

 they will not be troubled with vermin of any kind. It shews 

 bad management to have to resort to Keating's or any other 

 insect powder. The best cure for, or rather prevention against, 

 vermin, is cleanliness and plenty of water. 



I should say the Magpie is thoroughly out of order, and, 

 to begin with, I should give a purgative in the shape of Epsom 

 salts (half a teaspoonful dissolved in a wine glass of hot water). 

 Then give a change of food. Minute insects are no good for 

 such large birds. Feed on some good Thrush's food, mixed 

 crumbly moist with grated carrot or cold boiled potato (first 

 pressed through a sieve), chicken meal (without the shell-grit) 

 scalded, can be given on alternate days. This ought to form 

 the staple food, which can be supplemented occasionally with 

 a little lean beef finely chopped, with a mouse or dead Sparrow 

 for a change. As all the Crow tribe are practically omnivorous, 

 an occasional hard-boiled egg and scraps from the table will 

 never come amiss. 



Of course, if the bird has caught cold, which I doubt, it 

 must be kept free from draughts, and, during the moult, as 

 warm and quiet as possible. Cover the cage bottom with 

 damp cocoa fibre refuse, and let the perches be about an inch 

 and a half in diameter so that it can rest its feet firmly on 

 them. John Frostick. 



