DISORDERS OF TAME BIRDS. 21 



DISEASE IN THE FEET. 



House birds are often subject to bad feet. From the second 

 year they become pale, and lose their freshness. They must 

 be frequently cleaned, taking care to remove the skin; the 

 thick loose scales ought also to be taken off, but with all possi- 

 ble precaution. 



The gout occasions the feet to swell, they are also so scaly 

 and painful that the poor little bird cannot support itself with- 

 out resting on the points of its wings. Dr. Handel prescribes a 

 warm fomentation with a decoction of soapwort. If a foot 

 should be bruised or broken, he advises that the diseased bird 

 should be shut up in a very small cage, the bottom of which is 

 very smooth and even, without any perches, or anything which 

 would tempt them to hop, and put in a very quiet and solitary 

 place, out of the way of anything which might produce agita- 

 tion. In this manner the bird will cure itself in a little time, 

 without any bandage or plaster of any kind. 



I am persuaded that the principal cause of bad feet is want 

 of bathing. The scales, contracting from dryness, occasion 

 great pain ; in order to remove them with ease, and without 

 danger, the feet must be softened in lukewarm water. 1 

 have seen the following method used with a bullfinch : its 

 cage was made with a moveable tin bottom, which being half 

 or three quarters of an inch deep, could hold water, which was 

 put in tepid, to bathe the bird; the perches were then 

 removed, so that the bird was obliged to remain in the water, 

 where it was left for half an hour, sometimes throwing it 

 hemp-seed to amuse it. After repeating the bath once or 

 twice the bird became very fond of it ; and it was remarked 

 that its feet became, if we may say so, quite young again. 

 The scales being sufficiently softened, the middle of each was 

 cut lengthways without reaching the flesh, this made the sides 

 easily fall off. It is better to remove only two scales a-day, 

 that the bird may not be wearied. By continuing the bath 

 three times a week the feet become healthy and supple, and 

 the bird is easy. 



SORE EYES. 



The juice of red-beet for drink, and also as a liniment, 

 greatly relieves this disorder. Dr. Handel recommends wash- 



