OUR HOME PETS 



needs two persons. One hand holds him 

 gently but firmly, while the fingers of the 

 other spread open the little drawn -up toes; 

 another person must take a sharp pair of scis- 

 sors, and cut each claw not nearer the toe than 

 a long quarter of an inch. 



If a bird chokes, a meal - worm or a bit of 

 meat dipped in oil will often relieve him ; he 

 cannot resist the tempting morsel, and the oil 

 helps the offending object to slip down. 



When a bird takes to pulling out his feath- 

 ers, try giving him raw beef or meal-worms ; 

 it is said to be the desire for animal food that* 

 causes this. 



If the feathers are slow to fall out during 

 moulting time, fresh pokeberries in the cage 

 are recommended. A great deal is said in 

 bird books about troubles in moulting, but it 

 is my experience that a bird kept well, having 

 a daily variety of food, and, above all, made 

 happy and interested in life, will have no trou- 

 ble at all in going through this process. Nat- 

 ure takes care of that. I never had the small- 

 est occasion for tonics or other remedies. 

 My birds are sometimes rather quiet, but they 

 never lose spirits or appetite. Indeed, I should 



