DISORDERS. 



Birds, when properly taken care of, will seldom be 

 attacked with any disease ; I would, therefore, above 

 all, recommend punctuality in feeding, and cleanliness; 

 and most assuredly say that, nine times out of ten, if a 

 bird take sick, it is by neglect of the above simple pre- 

 cautions. One thing is very essential : that is, to be 

 very particular in selecting the seed given to them, 

 which is fully particularized under the head of Treat- 

 ment of the Canary. (See page 19). 



1. Moulting. — The most of our cage birds shed their 

 feathers yearly, in the month of September or October, 

 lasting, with a healthy bird, from two to four weeks ; 

 and, though natural, it generally is accompanied with 

 disease. They must at this time, be particularly taken 

 care of. Being so much more bare of feathers, they are 

 consequently more liable to take cold ; should, there- 

 fore, be kept in rather a warmer place than usual ; and 

 above all, protect them from a draught of air. A good 

 deal of room to fly about enables them to drop their 

 feathers more easy. It is well to see that they do not 

 get out of food, as they eat more when under the influ- 

 ence of moulting ; and their food should be varied. For 

 those birds that live on seeds, plenty of green food, some 

 I 



