80 Aviary Pheasants. 



any way, but suspected that it arose from some blight. 

 Keepers say it comes from " Cuckoo-spit," the blight 

 so frequently found on lavender bushes. 



It is said that boarded floors, if young birds are 

 kept too long on them, produce leg-weakness. I do 

 not object to a little short straw or broken hay on 

 the board, only it must not be allowed to get damp. 

 Remember, when the birds are getting their tail 

 feathers, and their wings are large and heavy, they will 

 require ample and nutritious feeding. Much depends 

 on season and weather : cold, dry weather, and no 

 insects, are conditions very trying to young birds; 

 mild, damp, showery, but not too wet weather, suits 

 them best. I quite agree with Mr. Tegetmeier on 

 the folly of too close interbreeding, for it rapidly 

 degenerates the birds. 



Fractures very readily take place in young phea- 

 sants, and are caused by the birds flying about in the 

 aviaries. I have cured many broken legs, and some 

 fractured thighs. An Impeyan broke his thigh soon 

 after I bought him; it was set in plaster splints, when 

 he entirely recovered, and became a fine bird. The 

 limbs must be carefully set, and bound up with 

 narrow strips of linen. The assistance of a medical 

 friend will be of much service if you have no know- 

 ledge of bone-setting yourself, as you will probably 

 find the limb heal, and the bird be a cripple 

 for life, if the leg is not correctly set. The 

 patient should be placed by himself, disturbed as 

 little as possible, well fed, and kept clean. If the 



