MITES. 163 



I think, proceeds rather from the notes escaping 

 the memory, than any physical defect in the 

 bird. By hanging a bird that has been brought 

 to me in this state near a good singer, and feed- 

 ing him well two or three days, he has soon 

 found his voice again. 



MITES. 



These troublesome little insects first infest the 

 cages, and then prey upon the poor birds. Under 

 the ornaments on the heads of the posts, and un- 

 der the perches, and about the head of the cage, 

 are the places they are generally found. They 

 are not so fond of the lower parts of the cage. 

 I am happy to make public a destroyer of those 

 tormentors of my feathered favorites, which I 

 have used with complete success, and without 

 the least injury to the birds. Take about half 

 an ounce of corrosive sublimate, and dissolve it 

 in a pint of spirits of wine, or high proof alcohol, 

 and apply it with a hair-pencil ; it kills the in- 

 sects immediately, and then penetrates into the 

 wood, leaving nothing that the bird can pick ; 

 and wherever you touch with it there will be no 



