FOOD AND CARE. 273 



SEPTEMBER OCTOBER. 



With the issue of this twelfth paper cm the above subject, suggestions for the 

 period of a full year will be given. But, though the suggestions have thus been 

 given for each month of the year, the subject of food and care of cage-birds has 

 been by no means exhausted. In the limited space allotted, we have treated as 

 fully as possible the ordinary diseases to which cage-birds are liable, and have 

 tried to give prominence to the old proverb of " An ounce of prevention," etc. 

 Improper care, late hours, luxuries, dissipation. these kill all animal-life, never 

 once stopping to inquire whether that life be possessed by man or bird. 



The prevention of disease is worthy of far greater praise than any possible 

 display of skill can be that attempts to control the flame of fever kindled by sheer 

 carelessness. 



To prevent diseases in birds, use the best quality of seeds, clean fresh water 

 for drinking or bathing, coarse, flinty gravel, cuttle-bone, and fresh green stuff. 

 If these are supplemented by light, airy rooms, where the bird may have one or 

 two hours of sunlight each day, and regular attention, your bird, if fairly well bred, 

 will be subject to few diseases. While many diseases have been prescribed for 

 under our present heading, special items will be found in the articles on Canaries, 

 Parrots, Mocking-birds, and other birds. 



The Pekin Nightingale is at times subject to indigestion. This attacks him 

 suddenly, as it does other birds. He may be as well, and eat his breakfast as 

 greedily, as ever in the early morning ; but an hour later finds him in a corner of the 

 cage with plumage ruffled, and an I'm-sure-I'm-going-to-die expression on his coun- 

 tenance. Three or four drops of sweet-oil, put in his bill, wilt quickly transform 

 him into the long-jumping, sprightly bird of yesterday. In general, birds seem to 

 be quite intelligent ; but the songster from Pekin is as liable to eat a harmful quan- 

 tity, and then suffer for it, as some people are. It is seldom the bird suffers from 

 indigestion when fresh carrot is mixed with his food. 



Long-breed Canaries, either Manchesters or those from Antwerp, should have 

 such care as to be kept in prime order during the fall and early winter months. 

 This is more essential m regard to the birds named ; since they breed very early in 

 the year, commencing six to eight weeks earlier than the short breeds. Their food 

 should always include a small quantity of hemp-seed daily ; and, from the middle 

 of October to January, birds should have a quarter part of the yolk and white of 

 a hard-boiled egg, mixed with a little cracker-dust, two or three times a week. 

 After the first of January the quantity of egg may be increased, and given daily ; 

 find a thimbleful of hemp, or more if the bird seems to require it, should be offered 

 in addition to the regular allowance of rape, canary, and millet seeds. Of course, 

 it is understood a bird should have some green stuff at least as frequently as every 

 other day. 



Eagles, Vultures, Hawks, Owls, and other birds of prey, are not often kept as 

 pet birds ; but still we get many letters, during the year, regarding the proper food 

 for them. Every bird of prey, caged, subsists on fresh raw beef or fish. The 

 large birds will devour two pounds, or more, per day, and should be fed in the morn- 

 ing and at night. The Owls will eat only during the night. Owls and Storks are 



