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The eye seems rather swollen and inflamed, and the bird keeps it

shut as much as possible. The other eye seems perfectly right. I have

bathed the eye in weak boracic lotion, and am keeping the bird warm.


Would you tell me if I can do anything more, and if the bird is likely

to lose the sight of the eye ? It has been in a large outdoor aviary all the

winter, and is otherwise in perfect health.


Would you also tell me if I can give anything beyond seeds and fruit

to a hen Eclectus, who is sitting on eggs ? Will she require bread and milk

if the eggs hatch? M. Johnstone.



The following reply was sent to Mrs. Johnstone.


Your Crimson Wing has doubtless taken cold in some form, but it is

impossible to say off-hand what the result may be. If the bird has had a

thorough chill, which is exceedingly likely, the loss of one or both eyes

may follow: nay, more—the bird may linger on and die. But if it be a

simple case of a cold in the eye from sitting in a draught, if your treat¬

ment was not delayed, there is hope that the eye may be saved.


Keep the bird comfortably warm in an even temperature day and

night, and be most careful to exclude even a suspicion of a draught. Bathe

the affected eye rather frequently with warm water, as warm as the bird can

bear without hurt. Twice, or not more frequently than thrice, in the day,

add a little lotion to the warm water. I hardly like too much of the boracic

lotion. You might try a change, at any rate temporarily, to the simple

old-fashioned zinc-and-rose-water. Attend carefully to the general health

of the bird, and carefully avoid any stimulating or heating food. A little

fluid magnesia in the drinking water now and then might be beneficial,

especially if the inflammation continue. Do not bathe the other eye so long

as it seems to be all right, or it might catch any possible infection.


Food for a Parrot with young should, as far as practicable, be simply

an enlargement on that to which it has been accustomed. A new food,

however valuable, may be avoided because it is strange, or it may be

partaken of too freely and temporarily upset the bird’s system. You

mention fruit as part of the birds’ food : give plenty of it. If accustomed

to bananas, supply them freely ; also grapes if the birds have been having

them. I should certainly give a little bread (I prefer biscuit) and milk (or

bread moistened with water)—and watch. I always add to my seed Huntley

and Palmer's “ Tea” biscuits crumbled up ; this the birds eat dry and quite

naturally, but it quickly softens into pulp in the crop ; nevertheless do not

give too much. I also cut up. and place on the top of the seed, dr}' bits of

date and fig, I mean, as little sticky as may be. I also give the best

sultana raisins, carefully cleaned, and cut in halves. Doubtless you give

them maize. If you give oranges, I would not give milk at the same time,

as the acidity of the orange might act on the milk.


May I express a hope that you will send an account of this interesting

case to the Magazine ! Reginald Phieeipps.


Mrs. yohnstone states further :—


The Crimson Wing at any rate seems no worse ; but the hen has also

a bad eye; it appears glazed over like a white film. She has also lost the

use of one foot: I never saw anything like it before. I noticed she perched



