BBITISH SONG BIEDS. SOQ' 



To stop this complaint, which will, unless checked, kill the young 

 brood, some fanciers advise the hen to be washed in salt and water, 

 then dipped in fresh water to neutralize the effect of the salt, and 

 afterwards dried as quickly as possible, either in the sun, or with 

 the help of dry soft cloths before the fire. This bathing and drying 

 should be repeated once or twice a day, until the little patient re- 

 covers. The best plan to cure this disorder, however, is to take the 

 hen away, and keep her from sitting. 



OBSTRUCTION OF THE RUMP GLAND. This gland furnishes the 

 oil \* ith which the birds trim their feathers ; it sometimes hardens 

 and becomes inflamed, and unless the sufferer pierces it himself, it 

 must be cut or pierced with a needle, the inflammatory matter 

 pressed out, and a little fine sugar dropped on the place ; this simple 

 remedy often effects a speedy cure. 



LICE. The insects by which many caged birds are annoyed, are 

 principally produced from their own slovenliness. Old wooden cages 

 are very liable to be infested with these pests ; for the insects being 

 very minute, they get into the smallest crevices, and remain housed 

 during the day, making their appearance only at night. Old cages 

 should therefore either not be used, or else very frequently attended 

 to ; and if a pan of fresh water is put into the cage, it will be of 

 great service in promoting the cleanliness of the birds, as it will 

 enable them to sprinkle themselves. 



OVERGROWN CLAWS AND BEAK. When a bird's claws grow long, 

 it is necessary to cut them, otherwise they are very inconvenient ; 

 they must not, however, be cut so short as to draw blood, else 

 the bird will be lamed. The beak also requires paring sometimes, 

 and the scissors for this purpose, and for the claws, should be per- 

 fectly sharp. 



MOULTING. While suffering from this malady, the birds must be 

 taken great care of, supplied with plenty of nourishing food, and 

 kept warm. Millet, lettuce, canary, maw, and hemp-seeds, bread 

 soaked in water, and green food should be given to those birds which 

 subsist upon seeds ; and an additional supply of meal worms and 

 ants' eggs to those which feed upon insects. A little saffron, or a 

 rusty nail, may be put into their water with advantage. 



Loss OF VOICE. Male canaries sometimes suffer the loss of voice 

 after moulting ; they should then be supplied with a paste composed 

 of bread pounded very fine, mixed with well-bruised lettuce, and 

 rape-seeds, tempered with a little yolk of egg and water. 



COSTIVENESS may be removed by giving such aperients as spiders, 

 plenty of green food, and boiled bread and milk ; tc those birds 

 which subsist upon meal worms, one bruised in sweet oil and saffron 

 will be an exceedingly good alterative. 



