l8 LONG CLAWS AND LOSS OF FEATHERS. 



It often happens that a 



Bird's Claws grow very long, and require 

 cutting. This is a particular operation ; and care 

 should be taken not to cut up into the blood-veins, 

 which can be easily seen by holding the bird's claw 

 in front of a strong light, and then not cutting with- 

 in at least a sixteenth of an inch of the red vein. ' 



Why does my Bird lose the Feathers around 

 HIS Bill, and his head become bare ? There are 

 two reasons for this. First, many birds seem afflicted 

 with an eruption, or skin-disease, which causes the 

 feathers to drop out. Such birds should be fed 

 principally upon rape-seed, and occasionally a small 

 piece of raw carrot, of which most birds are very 

 fond ; and, if a little olive-oil is at times put on the 

 bare spot, the feathers will commence to grow more 

 readily. Secondly, many birds are of a nervous 

 and irritable disposition, never remaining in one 

 position for a single instant, but are continually 

 hopping to and fro against the wires of their cages, 

 as if trying to get out, which is really the case ; 

 and, by coming constantly in contact with the hard 

 substance, they ruin their plumage. Such a bird 

 should be hung quite low, or, better still, placed on 

 a table where he can be occasionally talked to, and 

 noticed : then he will soon become accustomed to 

 his home. When partially quieted, bathe the bare 

 parts with water into which has been placed ten 

 drops of the tincture of arnica : after the soreness 

 (if any there has been) disappears, use a little olive- 

 oil, as before mentioned. 



