282 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



but cages well dressed with train-oil I have found to resist 

 the vermin more than anything else, — in fact, to remain free 

 from them during the season. Many object to the use of oil, 

 being fearful of injuring their birds; but, after the cages have 

 been well dressed and wiped, the birds can sustain no injury 

 whatever, as the oil remains only in the crevices. Whenever 

 a bug comes into contact with the oil death must speedily 

 ensue, for the spiracles become stopped, and suffocation 

 ensues as a matter of course. Wth respect to vermin, 

 as proof of the serious effects caused by them, examine some 

 of the bugs, and see how plump and red they appear after 

 they have been devouring the blood of the birds; and also 

 examine the young birds, in nests infested with vermin, when 

 a few days old, and you will find that, though the old birds 

 may feed them, their growth is checked, and they will appear 

 pale and sickly. A want of colour in the young birds' mouths 

 will tell, more than anything, that they are not doing well, 

 and, unless this be remedied, they will soon die. If hens 

 should breed well one year, it is no guarantee that they will 

 do so another season ; so do not suppose you are safe on this 

 point, and calculate on so many young from them. Vermin 

 may disappoint all hopes. Besides, there is no fixed rule Kow 

 to treat hens, for they are like other living things, varying 

 much in temperament, sonje being very familiar and others 

 very timid. These matters you will prove by experience. 

 However, under the most favourable circumstances, it is 

 unwise to be continually meddling with the nests while 

 containing eggs or young, for many a hen, that might have 

 proved good, has been spoiled by so doing. Many imagine 

 that when the old birds have fed their young for a few days, 

 and then neglect them, that they must bear the blame as 

 being unnatural parents ; but there is a cause for so doing. 

 It is at about this period that the mother becomes fonder of 

 her offspring, and is fearful to leave her nest, and devours the 

 food herself instead of supplying the young. I have no 

 doubt that many breeders have noticed the hens continually 

 rising up and, as it were, pecking at the inside of the nests. 

 AVhy* does this happen ? Because the nest is troubled with 

 vermin, and is every moment further weakening the young by 

 robbing them of their life's blood. They at last become 

 so helpless as not to rear up their heads for food, and death 



