DISEASES AND REMEDIES. 295 



If tlie prisoner is observed to sit drooping on its perch, and 

 to peck frequently at the rump, where the feathers are 

 probably much ruffled, there is reason to suspect this dis- 

 ease ; and if an inspection of the part shows the gland in a 

 swollen and indurated state, the aperture thereof should be 

 enlarged with a needle, or the point of a penknife, and the 

 part anointed with a mixture of fresh butter and sugar ; or 

 a salve prepared of white lead, litharge, wax, and olive oil, 

 should be laid over it. Sometimes it is judged best to cut 

 off the gland altogether ; but this should only be a last 

 resort, as its absence will sometimes cause the death of the 

 bird at the moult, when the new feathers require greasing. 

 Such is the general opinion among bird-keepers ; but some 

 judge it to be erroneous, and say that the gland is not re- 

 quired for that purpose. After paring the gland, it is by some 

 thought best to give the bird a little magnesia in its drink. 



Epilepsy is a disease to which Bullfinches and Thrushes, 

 both birds of robust make, or, as we should say of a human 

 being i of a full habit of body,' are especially liable ; it is 

 probably caused by over-feeding and want of exercise. 

 The patient falls suddenly from his perch, and lies strug- 

 gling at the bottom of the cage, and if not relieved by 

 blood-letting, or a plunge into a cold bath, will probably 

 die. The bleeding is effected by making a small puncture 

 with a lancet, or sharp penknife, into the surface of the 

 claw, which is then put into warm water to keep the blood 

 flowing for a time. The more suddenly the bird is put 

 into the bath, and the colder the water, the better ; but it 

 must be wrapped up well when it comes out, or it will 

 probably take cold, and die of asthma, or consumption. A 

 few drops of olive or castor oil may be given with advan- 

 tage in this disease, and the patient should be kept on low 

 diet for a time. When birds in confinement become too 

 fat, they are likely to have an attack of this kind ; they 

 should have low diet ; a little Swedish turnip or carrot 

 mixed with their food, and, in the case of the Warblers, 

 dried ants' eggs, should be given. 



Tympany. In this disorder the skin of a part, or per- 

 haps the whole of the body, becomes distended with air. 

 The prick of a needle will generally be sufficient to restore 



