68 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



a solution of sugar of lead and water : glycerine or cold cream is also recom- 

 mended. 



Melancholy, or Decline, is a gradual wasting away of the bird. If taken in 

 the hand, and the feathers blown from the body, he will have the appearance of a 

 mere skeleton. He will sit for hours on the perch, and be drowsy ; appearing as 

 though he had lost all his friends, and didn't want any more. This complaint usually 

 makes its appearance in the mating season, May. The bird needs hearty, stimu- 

 lating food, and a great deal of petting. These will work greater cures than any 

 medicine. Feed liberally on hemp-seeds or the egg mixture, and add tonic to his 

 water. Give him more than his daily allowance of caresses, and he will come around 

 in due season. When these fail to satisfy him, it would probably be well to pro- 

 cure a mate, and hang her within calling distance for a short period. 



Corpulency is the result of the fattening powers of hemp-seeds, too frequently 

 given by over-kind friends to a willing victim. The bird thus overfed will in the 

 course of time be a literal ball of butter. He is then so handsome and lazy that he 

 is utterly unfit for use when regarded from a vocal stand-point. If the bird does 

 not sing, and appears lively and well, you should examine him. Blow the feathers 

 from the body, and a clear white mass of flesh will be seen to cover the entire front 

 of it. He should be put through a thorough course of training and dieting in order 

 to reduce him to his proper weight. It would be better to allow him the freedom 

 of the room for a few hours daily, so that he may fly, and exercise himself. The 

 hemp-seeds and other fattening foods should be gradually withdrawn, and replaced 

 by plain, soaked rape, with boiled milk and cracker at rare intervals. The iron 

 tonic may be also added to" his water. It takes considerable time, and requires much 

 fortitude on the part of the fond owner, to reduce the diet of the favorite, to say 

 nothing of the appeals of the favorite himself for his restoration of privileges. But 

 these things must be done if health is to be restored : otherwise the bird will be 

 utterly unfit for any thing except, perhaps, to hand him down to the cook, to be 

 served up as a piper on toast. 



Hoarseness often results from change of climate, or from catching a slight 

 cold. It may be easily cured by adding a small lump of rock-candy and a few drops 

 of glycerine to the drinking-water. 



The Claws and Beak often need clipping, and may be attended to in the same 

 manner as those of the Canary. 



The above are all the diseases to which the Bullfinch is subject ; and it perhaps 

 is unnecessary to repeat that plain food and water, and a little necessary attention, 

 are all that is requisite to prevent the appearance of most of them. 



Below may be found the titles and some of the music which Hannschen is usually 

 proficient in : there are, of course, many more which are regularly taught ; and the 

 sheet-music may be found at the regular bird-shops. Whether it be the lively 

 love-ditties or the inspiring American airs, he will be found at home in the rendering 

 of either. A complete change of nationality takes place when he has been taught 

 the foreign airs ; and the naturalized American Bullfinch will betray his knowledge 

 of his new-found sphere by the Yankee sparkle of his eye, and the desire to lead 

 you to believe that he is capable of reading the music at sight. 



