42 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



Giddiness. This cannot be called a disease, but is merely a disagreeable habit 

 which the bird has of twisting and turning the head, and continually looking U p and 

 backwards. The best remedy is, to use a cage covered on top. 



Cancer. This disease is oftentimes fatal. The cancer is a warty, yellowish 

 protuberance, which appears at the base of the bird's bill. It sometimes attacks the 

 feet as well. It is caused by filthy cages or filthy food, which gradually poison. 

 The parts affected should be bathed frequently in a strong solution of alum and 

 water, which will tend to dry up the warts, and cause them to fall off. After this use 

 olive-oil or glycerine for healing purposes. Keep the cage as clean as possible, and 

 hang in a warm position. Feed the bird only on plain food. 



Contagious Diseases. These arise from overcrowded bird-rooms, where the 

 air becomes so foul that disease must surely be the result. Bird-owners who own 

 only a few birds are not usually affected by it. In appearance a bird may be per- 

 fectly healthy and in song ; yet the disease lurks in his system, and results fatally 

 unless speedy means are taken to check it. When the disease appears among a 

 small number of birds, it may result from unclean or poisonous drinking-water, and 

 is shown by numerous ulcers on the head and body. In other cases the disease is 

 noticed by the short gasps of the bird, as though in great distress. As soon as 

 noticed, all cages in the room should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and the 

 seed, water, and bath cups thoroughly cleansed. Keep the birds in the purest 

 atmosphere possible : sunshine is also good. Feed such birds on plain seeds, with a 

 little maw-seed in the mixture. Green food and egg-mixture should not be given 

 during the run of the disease. Add to the drinking-water a teaspoonful of brandy 

 and a few drops of paregoric : float this mixture with a little cayenne pepper. 

 The above remedy has resulted in complete recovery when the disease was 

 promptly attended to. If allowed to run without checking, the result will be surely 

 fatal. 



Wounds are usually the result of accidents, caused by the bird getting his feet 

 or claws entangled in some parts of the cage. They may also be caused by coming- 

 in contact with the edges of broken seed or water vessels. When the accident 

 happens to the feet, the bird should be carefully caught, and the feet bathed with 

 warm water : the wound should then be bathed with some healing remedy, such as 

 a solution of five grains of sulphate of zinc in an ounce of water, or touch the 

 wound with a piece of wet alum. When the wound is on the body, bathe the part 

 with warm water first, and with the sulphate-of-zinc solution afterwards. The above 

 should be applied about twice every day. 



Sore Feet are a result usually of filthy cages, or from improper attention to 

 the legs and feet while the bird is growing old. If the cause is filthy cages, clean the 

 feet thoroughly Tby soaking them in warm water, remove all particles of dirt which 

 adhere to them, and, after wiping dry, anoint with glycerine or some other simple 

 ointment until fully healed and healthy. Meanwhile keep the cage as clean as pos- 

 sible. If the soreness is caused by not removing the scales which grow on the bird's 

 legs as he gets older, take the bird carefully in hand, and anoint thoroughly the 

 affected parts with some softening lotion, such as cold cream, and, after two or three 

 days' application, gently remove the scales by means of a sharp knife. When they 

 are all removed, anoint dailv with the ointment until cured. 



