DISEASES. 43 



them, however, the. advantage of hearing 

 birds of fine mettle, and they will, by degrees, 

 be encom'aged to imitate them, and their 

 temper will be very much improved. 



DISEASES. 



If proper care is taken, the Canary is sub- 

 ject to few diseases. Those that do arise, 

 may be all traced to carelessness and inat- 

 tention. If duly fed, their cages regularly 

 cleaned and kept in good air, it is seldom 

 that the birds are found in bad health. In a 

 state of nature they are liable to many mis- 

 fortunes, but what their diseases are, the 

 records of no ornothological hospital can tell. 

 In a state of domestication their health can 

 be better observed and more carefully at- 

 tended to, and some hints can be given how 

 it may be preserved or restored. 



Colds are the most general complaint, and 

 they are almost all owing to carelessness. 

 How frequently are birds hung up close to 

 the top corner of a window, with the sash 

 down about one foot, and a draught of air 

 running through, or by the cage, fit to turn 

 a small wind-mill. Thus they are frequently 

 exposed for several hours late in the evening, 

 when going to roost, without any considera- 

 tion whether the air be damp, cold, or dry. 

 In this manner many a fine bird is endan- 

 gered, if not killed, by taking cold, which 

 often proves incurable. 



When birds are in good health, and lively. 



