CANARY BIEDS. 93 



natural diet, which impairs the digestive 

 powers. The most effectual remedy, besides 

 supplying the patient with the best and most 

 natural food, is to make it swallow a spider 

 which will act as a purgative, and to put a 

 rusty nail into its water-glass, which see'ms 

 to give vigor to the stomach and bowels. 

 "Watercress is a specific for decline in cana- 

 ries. The narrow cage which prevents much 

 exercise, and the sugar, confectionery, and 

 other dainties given them, frequently pro- 

 duce decline. 



HUSKINESS OR Loss OF YoiCE. Young 

 males, when moulting, are frequently so 

 affected, but birds of all ages and at all times 

 may be ; a cold is the general cause. Never 

 purchase a husky bird : you may be told it 

 is only a little cold, and will pass off. So it 

 may, but it will most likely return before 

 long, and become a chronic disease, ending 

 in decline. The remedial measures are: 

 Keep the bird warm, and give it some lin- 

 seed with its rape and canary. Every morn- 



