14 A BIRD BRISTLES UP. 



of the cage. Should a bird be troubled with the 

 reverse of this complaint, — 



CosTiVENESS, — a piece of sweet apple, a little 

 chickweed, lettuce, or any green food, will usually 

 afford full relief. Most ailments of birds commence 

 with a cold ; and the old adage of the " ounce of 

 prevention," &c., is peculiarly applicable to the bird 

 family. Oftentimes 



A Bird bristles up, sits moping upon the perch, 

 with his head under his wing, and looks like a puff- 

 ball. If this is occasioned by the bird having diar- 

 rhoea, give the remedies as directed. Should it be 

 occasioned by costiveness, see article above. 



Occasionally a bird will act in this manner when 

 he has neither of these complaints. Should this be 

 the case, examine first his food, and see if he has 

 been properly fed. Many times it will be found 

 that it is wholly occasioned by neglect in not feeding 

 the bird, and sometimes by not supplying sufficient 

 water for the bird to drink. If, however, it should 

 prove that the bird has plenty of food, and is per- 

 fectly regular, then make a change in his food, 

 taking away the seed, and feeding the soft food as 

 recommended for birds with colds, and perhaps a 

 small piece of sweet apple. Occasionally a canary 

 is troubled with 



Epilepsy. — A sure cure for this has never been 

 discovered. The author has taken a buliinch, and 

 other birds affected, and cut the hind-claws just 

 sufficient to draw the blood, holding the foot in warm 

 (not hot) water until the blood ceased to flow ; then 



