989 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
but cages well dressed with train-oil I have found to resist 
the vermin more than anything else,—in fact, to remain free 
from them during the season. Many object to the use of oil, 
being fearful of injuring their birds; but, after the cages have 
been well dressed and wiped, the birds can sustain no injury 
whatever, as the oil remains only in the crevices. Whenever 
a bug comes into contact with the oil death must speedily 
ensue, for the spiracles become stopped, and suffocation 
ensues aS a matter of course. With respect to vermin, 
as proof of the serious effects caused by them, examine some 
of the bugs, and see how plump and red they appear after 
they have been devouring the blood of the birds; and also 
examine the young birds, in nests infested with vermin, when 
a few days old, and you will find that, though the old birds 
may feed them, their growth is checked, and they will appear 
pale and sickly. A want of colour in the young birds’ mouths 
will tell, more than anything, that they are not doing well, 
and, unless this be remedied, they will soon die. If hens 
should breed well one year, itis no guarantee that they will 
do so another season; so do not suppose you are safe on this 
point, and calculate on so many young from them. Vermin 
may disappoint all hopes. Besides, there is no fixed rule how 
to treat hens, for they are like other living things, varying 
much in temperament, some being very familiar and others 
very timid. These matters you will prove by experience. 
However, under the most favourable circumstances, it is 
unwise to be continually meddling with the nests while 
containing eggs or young, for many a hen, that might have 
proved good, has been spoiled by so doing. Many imagine 
that when the old birds have fed their young for a few days, 
and then neglect them, that they must bear the blame as 
being unnatural parents; but there is a cause for so doing. 
It is at about this period that the mother becomes fonder of 
her offspring, and is fearful to leave her nest, and devours the 
food herself instead of supplying the young. I have no 
doubt that many breeders have noticed the hens continually 
rising up and, as it were, pecking at the inside of the nests. 
Why does this happen? Because the nest is troubled with 
vermin, and is every moment further weakening the young by 
robbing them of their life’s blood. They at last become 
so helpless as not to rear up their heads for food, and death 
