l6 WHEN A BIRD SHOULD MOULT. 



Sweating. — A female canary will at times con- 

 fine herself too closely to the nest, and thus generate 

 a superabundance of heat which often destroys the 

 brood. Wash her in a good strong solution of salt, 

 and after a few minutes with fresh water ; dry her as 

 rapidly as possible in the sun. Do this once or 

 twice a day, and sprinkle a little sherry wine over 

 her plumage. Supply her with plenty of good food 

 to tempt her off the nest ; she is most likely a weakly 

 bird, and injures herself by sitting too close. A 

 sweating female is not fit for a breeder, so never use 

 her for this purpose twice. 



A question often asked is, — 



"When SHOULD a Bird moult?" — Most birds 

 shed their feathers in the months of September and 

 October ; and, though it is perfectly natural for them 

 so to do, still the operation is accompanied with a 

 slight disease. They should be fed on the soft 

 paste before described ; and, as they are not well 

 covered with feathers, great care should be taken to 

 keep them in a comfortably warm place out of all 

 draughts of air. With these precautions a bird will 

 fully moult in from four to six weeks. Should a 

 bird not shed his wing and tail feathers readily, it is 

 well to pull them out, — pulling, however, only one 

 at a time. 



Broken Limbs are best left to themselves. 

 Human contrivances, where so fragile a thing as a 

 bird's leg or wing is concerned, are generally more 

 mischievous than useful: Nature will, if possible. 



