144 77ie Canary Book. 



LIMBS, BROKEN. See tinder "Broken Limbs." 

 . LIVER, INFLAMMATION OF THE. See under "Hepatitis." 



Loss OF YOICE. Canaries lose their voices sometimes, and 

 this event takes place more frequently during the process of the 

 moult than at any other season. I do not mean their ceasing 

 to sing, for all birds stop singing at that time of year, but 

 they are unable to say " pretty dick ! " or " peat ! " and when 

 the season of song returns the voice of the bird is mute. It 

 probably arises through cold, which may produce inflamma- 

 tion of the respiratory organs or larynx, or it may originate 

 from cramp, weakness, or paralysis. I have invariably found 

 that a little gum arabic and a few drops of paregoric 

 (twenty to thirty drops), put into the drinking-water twice 

 or thrice a week, and a liberal supply of lettuce and linseed, 

 mixed, given to a bird so affected, removes the complaint. 

 When a bird is suffering from this affection he will distend 

 his throat to the utmost of his power, and if otherwise in 

 apparent good health he will throw his head back, open his 

 bill to its widest extent, and, in fact, go systematically through 

 all the movements usually made when singing, and with all 

 the energy he can muster; but not a sound can be heard. A 

 piece of rusty bacon fixed between the wires of the cage 

 will be found of great benefit for this complaint ; another 

 remedy, much prized by some fanciers, is to put half-a-tea- 

 spoonful of honey in the drinking- vessel with the water, and 

 to add a few drops of lemon-juice freshly squeezed out of 

 a lemon. 



LUNGS, INFLAMMATION OF THE. See under "Pneumonia." 



O. 



OPHTHALMIA AND CATARACT. Within the past few years a 

 great number of crested and crested-bred birds have suffered 

 from this complaint. It has no doubt originated through 

 the enlargement of the crest, encouraged by careful breeding, 



