DISEASES. 53 



taken off at once, but gradually ; it should 

 then be cleaned thoroughly, and the birds fed 

 as usual. Fresh water should be given them 

 plentifully every day, and they should be put 

 in the sun for an hour or two if the weather 

 is fine, when they will be seen assisting na- 

 ture by plucking off their feathers. 



The first moult, which takes place when 

 they are about three months old, is partial. 

 The birds then throw off all their down and 

 loose feathers, and produce the full blooming 

 plumage. The moult of September is the 

 general time of moulting for old birds. 



LOSS OF VOICE. 



It sometimes happens that after moulting 

 a male loses his voice ; he must then be fed 

 with the same paste as is prepared for young 

 birds, adding some lettuce seed or maw seed. 



CONSTIPATION. 



The remedy for this is plenty of green food, 

 as lettuce leaves, water-cresses, &c., not forget- 

 ting bread and milk. 



ASTHMA, OR HARD BREATHING. 



When arising from an oppressed stomach, 

 the asthma generally yields to plantain and 

 rape seed, moistened with water, as the sole 

 food. 



5* 



