296



The Marquis of Tavistock,



SOME HINTS ON PARROT-KEEPING.


By The Marquis of Tavistock.


(Continued from page 220).


NlCROSiS. —An infectious disease of a rather mysterious character,

which attacks many birds and occasionally causes loss among

members of the parrot family: Roseate Cockatoos and Bourke’s

Parrakeets being the commonest victims. It is incurable and

may assume either an acute or chronic form, the bird in the

latter case becoming very emaciated.


Eye DISEASE. — An infectious disease of the eye, sometimes found

among newly-imported King, Crimson-wing and Polytelis Parra¬

keets and certain Parrots, usually resulting in loss of sight;

the eyes, in bad cases, becoming entirely closed up. The eyes

may be bathed with warm water and directly afterwards with a

diluted solution of rose-water and zinc. Cases of recovery are

rare.


EGG-BINDING. — Usually the result of over-fatness or an attempt to

breed at a low temperature. Keep the bird very warm and

place a few drops of olive oil in the vent at fairly frequent

intervals. Giving oil at the beak is naturally useless, but is

sometimes done by those who are ignorant of avian anatomy.

WORMS. —Parrots occasionally suffer from both round and tape

worms, and these parasites, if allowed to increase unchecked,

may cause the serious illness and even death of the bird. A

dose of from 3 to 5 grains of cina given daily in the food

or water will usually effect a cure.


The subject of disease naturally leads to that of disinfection.

For ordinary, everyday use, Condy’s Fluid makes a harmless and

satisfactory wash, but neither Condy’s nor Jeves’ Fluids are of the

smallest avail in dealing with the germs of the more dangerous

diseases. A parrot cage, which has been occupied by a bird suffer¬

ing from septic fever, for instance, should be scorched over with the

flame of a painter’s lamp and afterwards soaked in strong carbolic,

finally receiving a wash of plain water to remove any trace of the

poison which may cling to the perch or bars. A small indoor aviary

should, as far as possible, be subjected to the same treatment as a



