Finches. 137 



accustomed to it in early life, they are very trouble- 

 some to deal with afterwards. I have purchased birds 

 who never could be induced to bathe ; but I have led 

 them to partial cleanliness by sprinkling water over 

 them, and sometimes, after they have been wetted 

 thus once or twice, they have gone into the bath, or 

 have sprinkled more water over their feathers from the 

 water-glass. It is of great consequence to accustom 

 all birds to bathing; it will prevent a good deal of 

 discomfort from clogged feet, and keep them from 

 being infested with parasites, little red mites which 

 torment them exceedingly, and which are very diffi- 

 cult to get rid of. Tobacco blown over their feathers 

 and powder sold for destroying insects sometimes 

 prove efficacious ; and a bath of tobacco-water (a weak 

 dilution) might be of use ; but if a cage once becomes 

 a harbour for them it is very difficult to dislodge them, 

 and an old cage is a dangerous habitation, if birds 

 troubled with insects have been kept in them. The 

 " Zollverein " and " Pagoda " cages, made of metal, are 

 sometimes recommended as less likely to become a 

 receptacle for these pests ; but they have the draw- 

 back of being very cold to the birds' feet in winter, 

 and very hot, if exposed to the sun, in summer. They 

 are generally very small too, and not nearly so con- 

 venient to the inmate of the cage, as the mahogany 

 and wire waggon-shaped cages. If these are kept 

 clean and the birds well supplied with baths, there 



