A CAUTION TO FANCIERS. 71 



condition. At a distance the birds look clean 

 and healthy if one falls mopy, they catch it 

 and pop a condition pill or other bolus down its 

 throat, thinking that will set it right. If it 

 mopes still, bolus follows bolus down the un- 

 offending throat, producing civil war in the 

 stomach. By this reckless method of ill-treat- 

 ment they add insult to injury on the bird. 



All insect powders I find impotent. What- 

 ever you sprinkle on the plumage is soon shaken 

 off. Ointment is the proper remedy it clings. 

 I wished to buy a bird. The owner honourably 

 said, "I cannot sell it; it is out of sorts. 

 Come again in a fortnight, and if it is better 

 you shall have it." I went again. In the 

 meantime the bird had been kindly put through 

 a systematic treatment for a complaint it did 

 not suffer from. It was no better (of course 

 not) ; I could not have it yet. I inspected it 

 closely and lifted up its feathers. It was lite- 

 rally alive with vermin. They might truly in 

 deafening chorus have cried, " Our name is 

 Legion, for we are many." I recommended oint- 

 ment, and in a week when I returned the young 

 lady was well and coquettish, and I completed 

 my purchase. The ointment is compounded of 



Ib. of blue unction and I oz. of lard. Place 



