218



Mr. P. F. M. Galloway,



less sudden change to a low temperature and damp, may often cause

it. Especially in the latter part of September and early October, the

days, often warm and sunny, may be followed by a heavy downpour

of rain late in the afternoon, a damp atmosphere at night often being

accompanied by frost before morning ; this type of weather will give

birds a chill sooner than any other, and especially those that have

not completed the moult.


Symptoms . — A bird having contracted a cold will, at the

commencement, simply shake the head a few times, making a slight

noise as if trying to sneeze. This goes on for a short time ; then it

will be seen that the bird when sitting still opens and shuts its

beak slightly; when at rest with its head tucked in its feathers a

squeaking noise will be heard, exactly like a canary with asthma

(which, by the way, is not always asthma, but a cold, that if not

checked at once will turn to asthma). As the disease progresses

and the bird sneezes, a watery discharge will be observed on the

nostrils, which after a time hardens and forms a scale over the

nostril, compelling the bird to breathe through the mouth, as indi¬

cated by the beak constantly opening and shutting. Now whilst the

cold can be confined to the head it can be cured, but if neglected

it will gradually w'ork its way down to the lungs and then it is

hopeless ; the bird is soon dead, probably from pneumonia.


Treatment .—Directly a bird is found sneezing, place in its

drinking-water, which should be given warm, a few drops as directed

of any of the advertised medicines for colds. I think Ditchfield’s

lung tonic is as good as any if the bird is put into a dry and very

warm atmosphere; this will help to cure the bird in a much shorter

space of time. It is not necessary to alter the diet, but after the

bird is cured give a little tonic in its water. Parrish’s chemical

food is useful, this will tone up the system and put the bird on

its legs again.


Disease op the Feet. — -Soft-billed birds seem more disposed

to sore feet or toes than hard-billed birds, the feet of the former

being more delicate and tender.


Symptoms .—The bird frequently holds up its foot and tucks

it under its breast feathers. After a day or two it will hardly bring

the foot into use at all; if the bird’s foot is examined it will be seen



