Bird-keeping. 



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will be no trouble about insects ; but a bird newly 

 purchased should be very carefully examined before 

 he is, admitted into the company of our little pets ; 

 and if he is dirty and ragged, and pecks continually 

 at his feathers, and seems restless and out of order, 

 the probability is that he is beset with some trouble- 

 some parasites, hidden underneath the feathers. It is 

 not wise to purchase " nest-bags : " they are often re- 

 ceptacles for these creatures, and the poor little birds 

 suffer greatly from them. It is necessary to change 

 their nests when they become very dirty ; but this 

 must not be attempted, except with very tame birds 

 who have entire confidence in our good intentions 

 towards their young, until they are tolerably well 

 fledged, as the mother will sometimes show her dis- 

 pleasure at having her nest meddled with by refusing 

 to return to it. She may, perhaps, still feed the young 

 birds ; but if a cold night follows and she does not 

 cover them, they will perish, unless pretty well covered 

 with feathers. 



Some birds so much resent all interference, that one 

 cannot venture to examine the nest closely ; but it is 

 needful to keep up some supervision, as a weakly bird 

 may die in the nest, and, if it is not thrown out by the 

 parents, it will remain trodden down by the living 

 birds till corruption takes place. When it is necessary 

 to remove them to a fresh nest, they must be handled 

 as little as possible, They should be taken away from 



