GENERAL CARE 8i 



juice for a few days in succession. This course will very 

 often induce a healthy renewal of the plumage. 



Egg-binding is a very frequent source of trouble. It may 

 be caused by an over-fat condition of the bird, absence of 

 shell-forming grit or, in the case of birds in unheated quar- 

 ters, by a sudden cold snap. Removal to a warm cage and 

 ■^ the anointing of the vent with warm olive oil will generally 

 ■f cause oviposition. If it does not, careful exposure of the 

 vent to steam will almost certainly bring about relief, but 

 K the bird must be protected from scalding. 

 ^m Sore feet are a common complaint. Dirty or unsuitable 

 ^pperches will often bring about such a condition, but many 

 '' birds, no matter how well cared for, are troubled as old age 

 comes on. The feet should be washed carefully in warm 

 water, well dried and anointed with vaseline or some simi- 



Ilar dressing. 

 Scaly leg, which is prevalent among game birds, is much 

 more difficult to treat. Many prefer heroic measures, such 

 as dipping the feet in kerosene, and good results are not '^ 

 uncommon. Five parts of white vaseline to one part of 

 caraway oil, as recommended by the Maine Agricultural 

 Experiment Station, is the best remedy known to the writer. 

 Its persistent application with a stiff toothbrush will eventu- 

 jally reach and destroy the parasites which cause the incrus- 

 tation. 

 Lice are seldom present in a well-ordered collection, and 

 if new birds are isolated for a time there will be little 

 trouble. The habit of covering cages with cloths at night 

 is an excellent means for breeding lice, which find a lodging 

 in the folds of the cloth. When their presence is suspected 

 IBthe occupants of the cage should be removed and thoroughly 

 ' dusted with Persian insect powder. The cage should be 



I washed with hot water containing some disinfectant, such 



