FOOD AXD CARE. 2(51 



according to the bird's taste ; add a thimble or two full of ants' eggs which have 

 been moistened in tepid water ; give daily, also, two or three meal-worms ; if the 

 bird seems to require more, mix with the food a teaspoonful of moistened poke- 

 berries, and give him an entrte of raw lean beef, scraped fine. Except under 

 compulsion, birds recognize no fast-day : on the other hand, my impression is, birds 

 understand well the subject of movable feasts ; they feasted yesterday, and want 

 to have another feast moved in to-day. 



Birds that are to be used the coming season for breeding ought now to have a 

 cage separate from other birds, each one in a home of his or her own, where proper 

 food and care, as is befitting, can be given to one who is to engage in the great 

 labor of rearing- five, ten, fifteen, or more, descendants. Birds that are kept alone 

 in a cage will get, with special care, into good condition, and are more likely to 

 mate, and will certainly produce better stock, than if left to really care for them- 

 selves right up to mating time. 



Do not forget that good fresh water is of greater importance than food, to any 

 bird . 



DECEMBER JANUARY. 



Many statements that would naturally be placed under this heading are included 

 in other articles which so thoroughly treat the subject that little is left to be written 

 up fresh for this column. For instance, the Parrot article discusses quite fully all 

 the usual diseases to which that bird is subject, and states the proper remedies. In 

 such a case, only some uncommon disorder, as shown in a bird brought to me for 

 treatment, perhaps, can be explained. 



If we have to deal with disagreeable facts, and the items seem are prosy, 

 bear in mind, that while the contemplation of diseases, and suggestion of suitable 

 remedies, many times inspire one with great enthusiasm, the thoughts jotted down 

 do not always make bright, jolly reading. On " hospital days," days when many 

 sick birds are brought in for inspection, suggestion, or, in some cases, immediate 

 cure, the writer's task, recalling an idea from the " Pirates of Penzance," taking 

 one consideration with another, is " not a happy one." 



Here comes No. 1, with a sick bird. " Is Mr. H. in ? " " Yes, I am he." 

 "Well, Mrs. M. sent me with this bird, to see what you can do for it. The base- 

 ment window was open, and a black " I thought likely the bird would die before 

 she would finish even the first chapter ; so I took him to another apartment, and, on 

 examination, discovered a leg broken midway between the hip and joint below. I 

 drew the leg out slightly, easily, taking hold just below the break, then, with finger 

 and thumb, pressed the two ends of the break into position, sheared the feathers off 

 for a half -inch each side the break, and -wound a piece of cotton cloth, three- 

 quarters of an inch wide, twice around the leg, and secured it with thread. A half- 

 inch splint of pine, one-sixteenth of an inch thick, and one-eighth of an inch wide, 

 was placed inside the leg, and another outside, and secured in their places with 

 thread. The perches were removed from the cage, and the seed and water put in 

 shallow dishes on the base, so the bird would not be compelled to exert himself. 

 In three weeks he will be as well and sprightly as ever. 



No. 2 comes rushing in. A short man, dark complexion, excited, talks very 



