112 CANARIES 



white cloth should be hung over it at night. In the morn- 

 ing it will be covered with red mite, if any are about, it can 

 then be dipped into a pan of boiling water and the noc- 

 turnal marauders killed. 



" Pip." 



This is the peculiar title given to the derangement of 

 the oil gland on the bird's rump. This oil gland, when in 

 a healthy condition, exudes oil, with which the bird 

 plumes and preens its feathers. Occasionally the gland 

 gets out of order, and a swelling makes its appearance 

 This swelling should be pricked with a needle to let 

 out the matter, and the gland anointed with a little vaseline 

 or olive oil. Sterilise the needle before using. An aperient, 

 such as a little magnesia or a few senna leaves, may be 

 placed in the drinking water, and in a few days the little 

 sufferer will be quite weU. 



Rheumatism, or Cramp. 



All birds are more or less subject to this trouble- 

 some complaint. Sometimes it attacks the limbs, and 

 at other times the stomach. It is generally brought 

 on by exposure to cold. The treatment that I have 

 found most effectual is the following, and in all cases 

 I administer a couple of drops of castor oil. If the stomach 

 is the part affected, it should be painted with a little 

 brandy, and a few drops of weak solution of brandy 

 and water should also be given. In the place of the usual 

 drinking water the following should be used : Fifteen 

 drops of antimonial wine, ten drops of laudanum, water 

 one ounce. If the hnibs are affected they should be painted 

 with spirits of turpentine or Friar's Balsam. 



Rupture. 



One seldom meets with rupture in the bird room, yet 

 occasionally a hen that has been egg-bound becomes 

 ruptured. If such happens, take the hen in the hand, 

 cleanse the parts with warm water in which some disin- 



