480 EXHIBITING AND JUDGING 



specially constructed room or rooms for this purpose, the wash- 

 room being fairly warm, at least 70 degrees. It should be equipped 

 with four large wash tubs (see Figs. 207 and 208), in each of which 

 is a different solution. Number one is the wash water in which the 

 bird is thoroughly immersed and scrubbed with ivory soap suds, 

 the soap suds being rubbed clear down into the base of the feathers, 

 the solution in this tub being warm. Next the bird is thoroughly 

 rinsed in water which is only slightly warm, and then immersed 

 in a weak solution of bluing, the water being cool. The density 

 of the bluing solution should not be too great, as it is apt to leave 



FIG. 207. Students washing live birds for exhibition. (Photo from Cornell University.) 



a blue stain on the plumage and on the white ear lobes. Another 

 rinsing is often made, after the bluing water, so as to be sure that 

 all soap is removed. The bird is then fanned for a few minutes, 

 to hasten the webbing out of the feathers, especially the tail, and 

 then is placed in a clean cage in a room which is heated to about 

 eighty or eighty-five degrees. Too high a drying temperature will 

 make the feathers curl and have a ruffled appearance. To make 

 the feathers stand out from the body, a little laundry starch may 

 be sifted into them. An amateur should not attempt to wash 

 and fit birds for exhibition except under instructions from an 

 experienced person. 



