233 



that wing as soon as possible, or otherwise it is almost 

 certain to be weak and possibly sicken at the next 

 nionlt. 



Needless to say they are not suitable for the show 

 bench, but to those who have small outdoor aviaries 

 they are well worth the' little trouble they require, 

 forming a beautiful addition to any collection, and 

 being a constant source of pleasure to any bird lover. 



ITbe Storv) of 3Birt)-H)catb. 



By W. Geo. Creswki.1., M.D. Durh., L.R.C.P., F.Z.S. 

 (Cofitimied from page 20^). 



EARING in mind the enormous death-rate from 

 septic poisoning which obtains in the case of 

 both indigenous and foreign wild birds when 

 they are first exposed to those conditions 

 which are inseparable from the methods by which 

 they are caught, kept, and fed — a rate which would 

 be even more startling to us if only the dealers 

 would take us into their confidence and tell us 

 their experiences — we shall see that, when we 

 approach our Canaries, we are mounting several 

 steps higher towards immunity, though even here we 

 are still a long way from its complete realization. My 

 readers may at first sight think I am mistaken in this, 

 and that I have forgotten the mortality that steadily 

 takes place every breeding season among tlie 3'oung 

 birds, and, though perhaps to a less degree, also among 

 their parents. But in spite of the knowledge of all this, 

 and while quite cognizant of the ravages made from 

 time to time by sudden epidemics of the most virulent 

 form of the disease — epidemics which in a very few 

 weeks often depopulate whole birdrooms and aviaries 

 — I sa}^ there can be no manner of doubt on the 

 subject. Vital statistics, as we all know, do not depend 



