BRITISH SONG-BIRDS. 51 



before they take the perch, put them in a large 

 wicker cage, one half of the bottom of which ought 

 to be covered with dry fern or clean hay, and the 

 other half with fine gi'avel. They must have every 

 morning a flat dish with water, large enough for 

 them to wash themselves in. After they have 

 done so, take it away, dry the cage, and then put 

 in the dish with theii' food, already mentioned, and 

 another dish with water for their drink. Old 

 birds are managed in the same manner, only now 

 and then they may get a spider or a few hog-lice, 

 in Scotland called " sklaters," or a snail, or a slug. 

 Thrushes are also very fond of the common gar- 

 den snail, but they must have a stone in the cage 

 to break the shell upon, which they will do them- 

 selves, and dexterously pick out the animal. We 

 may mention here, that all bii'ds, young and old, 

 must be kept clean and dry, and their cages care- 

 fully cleaned every morning. The health of the 

 birds depends on it. 



Diseases. 



Thrushes are generally very healthy birds; but, 

 when affected with diseases, they are managed and 

 treated much in the same manner as nightingales 



