128 Bird- keep ing. 



sugar is good for a hen under such circumstances. 

 Cage birds are occasionally troubled by hardness and 

 obstruction of the oil-gland above the tail, at which 

 they are continually pecking ; this should be anointed 

 with fresh butter, and pressed, or, if very bad, gently 

 pierced with a fine needle before applying it. Over- 

 much pricking, however, must be avoided. I once had 

 a bird brought to me in a wretched condition, owing 

 to this. The gland had become so sore that the poor 

 little bird could not bear to touch it, and its feathers 

 lacked the needful supply of oil and looked draggled 

 and miserable. 



When old birds become weakly and drooping, a 

 little sponge cake steeped in sherry may do them 

 good, or a few drops of brandy in their water, but this 

 must be sparingly given, or it will fever the bird and 

 produce inflammation. A warm bath at 96 is very 

 useful to an egg-bound hen, but great care must be 

 taken against breaking the egg in holding her in the 

 hand. This is a safe remedy for most ailments to 

 which birds are subject : they must be held in the 

 hand so as to immerse all but the head in the water, 

 for three or four minutes; then taken out and well 

 dried, and placed in the sunshine or near a fire, to 

 get their feathers thoroughly dry. Some people find 

 steaming them over a cup of very hot water, covered 

 with a folded handkerchief, on which they can sit for 

 some time, warmly covered up, answer well. The feet 



