The Canary tiook. 



considered and carefully weighed in administering to the 

 wants and necessities of our feathered captives who are 

 constant prisoners? 



CAUSES OP DISEASE. As I have already stated, many 

 illnesses are brought on by over-feeding, others are engendered 

 through neglect. Some fanciers give their birds egg and bread, 

 chickweed, cabbage, lettuce, dandelion, groundsel, &c., in un- 

 measured quantities, and the birds amuse themselves, after 

 having satiated their appetites, by throwing the former into 

 the bottom of their cages, and by pulling the green food inside 

 as well. This is the result of giving birds more food than 

 they can possibly consume in one day. In the course of a 

 few days it becomes sour ; and if they partake of it, as they 

 will do at times, the consequences which usually ensue are 

 cases of diarrhoea, or, still worse, inflammation of the bowels 

 or intestines, which, if not promptly attended to, result in 

 death. Others, again, give them sour greens, or bad water, 

 or allow the water to remain in the troughs until it gets 

 loathsome and unfit for use. These, and similar causes of 

 neglect, produce more than half the illnesses from which birds 

 die. Therefore, remember the adage referred to at the 

 beginning of this chapter. Indeed, I think it would not be 

 a bad plan if fanciers would adopt it for a motto, and have 

 it painted in large characters upon their bird-room doors. 



FOOD. Always supply your birds with plain, wholesome diet, 

 but never pamper them with dainties, except in such cases as 

 I have pointed out. Be particular always to procure the best 

 canary seed, and genuine German summer rape seed, and give 

 in the proportion of three parts of canary to one of rape; 

 occasionally you may give a little linseed and a few groats, 

 and from April to September a little fresh green food, either 

 watercress, groundsel, or lettuce. Dandelion leaves may be 

 given sometimes, but they ought to be well washed and 

 immersed in water for a few hours previously. In winter time 

 a little sweet apple, with the rind taken off, may be given 

 them once a week. When in health, and not breeding, they 



