54 THE CANARY BIRD. 



SNEEZING. 



Sneezing, produced by an obstruction of 

 the nostrils, is removed by passing a small 

 quill up them to clear them. 



EPILEPSY, OR FITS. 



Epilepsy, which is common among many 

 kinds of birds, may be produced in Canaries 

 by particular causes, as great delicacy and 

 timidity. Some birds are more nervous than 

 others ; and sudden noise or bustle near the 

 cage will frighten one, while not the slightest 

 effect is produced upon another. We should 

 therefore avoid alarming them, either by 

 catching them suddenly or violently, or by 

 tormenting them in any way. If a bird has 

 dropped down in a fit without any apparent 

 cause, what we have found the most useful 

 in this case is to plunge the sick bird now 

 and then in very cold water, letting them fall 

 suddenly into it, and cutting their claws, or 

 at least one or two, short enough for the 

 blood to run. 



From bleeding giving so much relief, one 

 would think this disease a kind of apoplexy, 

 occasioned by want of exercise and too much 

 food. 



After the immersion in cold water, a drop 

 of the spirits of nitre should be put into his 

 water-glass for two or three mornings. 



Sometimes a Canary will drop down by 

 exhausting his strength, from singing in 



