84 MOCKING-BIRD DISEASES. 



with one hand, and, with the finger-nail of the other 

 hand, gently peel this scale from the tongue. Care- 

 fully watch the bird's droppings, and immediately 

 apply the cure for illness. 



DiARRHCEA IS CURED by a very rusty nail placed 

 in his drinking-cup, and the reverse by insect food, 

 or water with a few ants' eggs soaked in it. Blind- 

 ness is not to be cured ; and the bird thus attacked 

 will shortly die, its spirit being broken by the illness. 



During the month of May, sometimes earlier, all 

 birds have what is called the 



Mating Fever. — They grow melancholy, allow 

 their feathers to grow rough, cease to " plume 

 themselves " before retiring, waste away, and die. 

 All lovers of birds must have observed that a bird 

 never goes to sleep without arranging, just before 

 dark, eveiy feather. The uniformity and tedious- 

 nes.<i of a bird's life, confined in a cage, that was 

 not bred in one, is the cause of this mating-fever. 

 They have an ungratified sensual desire. In many 

 instances they forget their inclination for freedom 

 and a mate, by simply changing the cage, and hang- 

 ing near a window, where their time will be taken 

 up in watching new surroundings. 



MocKiNG-BiRD Lice are a great annoyance to a 

 bird, and should be gotten rid of. This is best 

 done by placing the bird in another perfectly clean 

 cage ; then steep some fine-cut chewing tobacco in 

 water, and, with a very weak solution, wash the bird 

 very thoroughly, particularly under the wings ; then 

 place a white cloth or towel on top of the cage, 



