EXHIBITING 129 



whole of the drying operation should be performed as 

 near the fire as possible. 



If the bird is not too much exhausted by the washing 

 process, it is best to stand it on the perch instead of 

 laying it on its back. Some fanciers place the birds 

 between two pieces of flannel when they put them in the 

 drying box or cage, others roll them in silk handkerchiefs. 

 This system dries a bird very nicely, but it would require 

 a larger stock of silk handkerchiefs than most people 

 keep, and also takes rather more time than the other 

 process. Some birds stand the washing much better than 

 others, and it takes little effect on them, but on some of 

 their weaker brethren it has a very exhausting effect. 

 Another reason why I like the birds to perch when put in 

 the drying cage is that the neck feathers do not get 

 rubbed out so quick as when birds are laid on their backs. 



If a bird should look as though it is approaching its 

 end when laid in the drying box, you need not be alarmed ; 

 after lying like that for some little time it will get on 

 the perch and soon pull itself together. 



Fatalities are Few. 



Fatal results from washing birds are few and far between. 

 When they do occur it is generally by the bird being held 

 too tightly. Some birds struggle very much whilst being 

 washed, and, should you at any time feel that a bird 

 is going to elude your grasp, it is best to let it go — you can 

 easily pick it up again ; but, should you make an effort 

 to tighten your hold of it, you will be almost certain to 

 harm it. 



If the bird is held firmly in the way I have described 

 it will not be able to struggle much. If you are at all 

 nervous, your grasp of the bird will not be firm. By 

 some intuitive instinct birds always seem able to teU if the 

 person handling them is nervous, aud they act accordingly. 

 But when secured in a good firm grasp they as a rule 

 struggle little. There is a great art in handling birds ; 

 an adept at the practice feels as much at home when 

 handhng one of his pets as a mother does in handling 

 her baby. The birds know aud appreciate the difference 

 between the two systems. 



I 



