174 HABITS OF BIRDS. 



assisted, must die, and hence it may not be useless 

 to point out the indications by which this state of 

 things may be recognised. Whenever, then, a con- 

 siderable fracture of both the shell and the membrane 

 is observed to remain for five or six hours without 

 enlargement, and at the same time the margin of the 

 membrane is perceived to be hard and dry, with per- 

 haps some feathers sticking to it, it will be indispen- 

 sable to liberate the chick by breaking the shell very 

 gently with a key or some such instrument, and by 

 cutting the membrane with the points of a pair of 

 scissors. The operation, though painful to the chick, 

 does not prove mortal, for it is no sooner freed than 

 it exhibits as much vigour as any other chick of its 

 age. 



In the case of a chick not having sufficient strength 

 to break through the shell, the indication will be 

 a slight chip appearing and continuing for several 

 hours without either being extended or the membrane 

 rent. Here it will be requisite to lend assistance, 

 as in the former case ; and if it come not too late, as 

 soon as the chick is exposed to the air, it will pull out 

 its head, stretch its neck, and endeavour to get out 

 of the shell. 



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