156 



least blast of wind would blow them down the chimneys ; or one bird playing up 

 against the other would have the same effect ; the Fancier would be continually losing 

 birds of value, to his great mortification ; be continually getting into disgrace with 

 his neighbours, perhaps into difficulties ; add to this the birds would be ten times more 

 dirty — washing is of no use — therefore, as no advantage can be derived from it, I object 

 to it entirely. In^the country it is different, because it is clean, and may benefit the plum- 

 age ; even there I would not fly them constantly, as it tends to make them coarse, which 

 is the reverse of what is wished to be in these birds, viz. — delicacy ; I should therefore 

 fly them only occaionally, which would answer all the purposes of keeping them healthy 

 and beautiful in plumage. A further reason is, it tencls to make them wild, instead of 

 what is desirable — perfectly familiar. Some have doubted whether the Almonds will 

 tumble in the air, when flying, like the common Tumblers. I can solve that doubt, by 

 assuring them they will. I once had one of my own that tumbled remarkably well, 

 and very clean, never losing any way in the air, so as to be distanced by the rest 

 of the flight, which is a great perfection in tiunbling. 



OF LOAM. 



467. The birds should be furnished with loam, of which they are remarkably fond, 

 which should be put into a garden or flower pot, well soaked. When the water has 

 drained off, and the loam become solid, lay the pot on its side ; they will eat the loam 

 greedily, especially if there is a little salt in it, of which they are immoderately fond ; 

 as they are of a hot nature, and sufficiently thirsty, I do not approve of increasing 

 thirst by artificial means, unless some good reason could be given for it ; I confess I 

 am at a loss to find one. Some Fanciers say, obliging them to drink is very useful 

 to them. I cannot agree with them ; it seems to me reason a bird will drink sufiicient 

 if it can get it, without any unnatural means to provoke it. There are loam pots to 

 be had at the earthenware shops, made on purpose ; they are of a conical form, and 

 part of the cone or cap takes off for the reception of the loam, and there are holes in 

 the side for the birds to get at it. 



468. I am of opinion loam should be given only in the summer time or breeding 

 season, not in the winter, having reason to think it occasions the roop, or at least pro- 

 motes, retarding the cure when the bird is troubled vnth that complaint. The reason, 

 as it occurs to me, seems feasible enough : the roop being a sort of cold in the head, 

 and the nose, or nostrils rather, having a communication with the mouth, and being 

 in that complaint always stuffed with rheum or phlegm, I think it is fair to presume 

 the constant eating of cold loam may sometimes occasion the roop, or at least may 

 tend to make it worse, when a bird is already affected with it. I used formerly to 

 suffer my birds to eat it all winter ; they aU had this complaint more or less. It after- 

 wards occurred to me this might possibly be the reason : since that time I have not 

 allowed them any after the cold weather set in ; have had the satisfaction of finding 

 that none of my birds have been affected with it since, in a general way, only now and 

 then one. Some Fanciers make a composition of loam, gravel, and mortar, adding 

 salt. I think it preferable to give them each of these (except the salt) in their crude 

 or natural state. 



GEAVEL. 



469. Is essentially necessary for the birds to have always by thenfi ; unless they 

 have, or some substitute in lieu of it, as sand or mould, I am inclined to think they 

 would not be healthy. It is requisite for the purpose of grinding and digesting the 

 food, which enters the stomach from the crop in a whole though soft state. Were it 

 not for the particles of gravel, fit tie stones, and other hard substances which they pick 

 up, which passes through the gizzard with the food, assisting maceration and digestion, 

 I should think birds would not only become unhealty and indolent, but not live in our 

 lofts to that age which they frequently do — some living with us nine, ten, and even 

 eleven years. 



MORTAE. 



470. From the eagerness with which these birds search for, and from the avidity 

 with which they devour mortar, one would think it was as necessary to their existence 

 as gravel reflection will teach us that it is not. Before the mortar can reach the 



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