132 TREATISE ON 



pant, and appear as if choking, and like to suffo- 

 cate, this, if not attended to, may occasion death. 

 In this case, either the nostrils are stuffed, or it 

 proceeds from animalcule in the larynx or throat ; 

 if in the nostrils, take a fine-pointed needle and 

 pick out what seems to obstruct their breathing ;* 

 but should the disease still remain, then it is ver- 

 min in the windpipe. For this put a little saffron 

 or liquorice-root infused in the water, to which 

 add a little white sugar-candy. Should they bunch 

 up their feathers, or appear dull, or put their bills 

 under their wings, give them a spider or an ear- 

 wig two or three times a day, or a bruised hemp- 

 seed, of which they are very fond; when well, they 

 will swallow it whole. Saffron or liquorice may 

 also be of service in bringing them into spirits a- 

 gain, and in improving their song. When their 

 claws are too long, they must be paired, otherwise 

 they get entangled on the perch : this frightens, 

 and makes them pant, which is apt to produce fits. 

 All small birds are liable to these diseases, and 

 the treatment is in most cases the same. 



• We omitted to notice, under the articles Blackbird, Thrush^ 

 &c. that their nostrils get clogged if the food is too soft ; in this 

 case they breathe with difficulty. To cure it, take a small feather 

 and draw it quite through the nostrils, which is easily done, as they 

 are pervious, and in a few minutes the birds will be quite well. 



