CANARY BIRDS. 1Q7 



every bird there is a gland just above the 

 tail, which secretes the oily substance neces- 

 sary for oiling the feathers, and preserving 

 them from the effects of rain. As in capti- 

 vity birds rarely get wet, they sometimes 

 neglect to use this gland, and it swells, dries 

 up, and even ulcerates. The bird sits still, 

 with the tail bent downwards, and frequently 

 pecking at the rough feathers on the affected 

 part. Apply an ointment of uusalted butter 

 and sugar, or enlarge the opening of the 

 gland with a needle ; but the latter, though 

 it cure the disease, destroys the gland, and 

 the next moulting season the bird dies for 

 want of the oil to soften the feathers. An 

 ointment to be procured at the druggists' is 

 effectual. It is composed of litharge, white 

 lead, wine, and olive oil. 



We have now given a tolerably complete 

 list of the ills and casualties of canary life 

 in a state of confinement, with their appro- 

 priate remedies ; though we think that, so 

 far as ladies are concerned, the non-doctor- 



