480 EXHIBITING AND JUDGING 
specially constructed room or rooms for this purpose, the wash- 
room being fairly warm, at least 70 degrees. It should be equipped 
with four large wash tubs (see Figs. 207 and 208), in each of which 
is a different solution. Number one is the wash water in which the 
bird is thoroughly immersed and scrubbed with ivory soap suds, 
the soap suds being rubbed clear down into the base of the feathers, 
the solution in this tub being warm. Next the bird is thoroughly 
rinsed in water which is only slightly warm, and then immersed 
in a weak solution of bluing, the water being cool. The density 
of the bluing solution should not be too great, as it is apt to leave 
Fra, 207.—Students washing live birds for exhibition. (Photo from Cornell University.) 
a blue stain on the plumage and on the white ear lobes. Another 
rinsing is often made, after the bluing water, so as to be sure that 
all soap is removed. The bird is then fanned for a few minutes, 
to hasten the webbing out of the feathers, especially the tail, and 
then is placed in a clean cage in a room which is heated to about 
eighty or eighty-five degrees. Too high a drying temperature will 
make the feathers curl and have a ruffled appearance. To make 
the feathers stand out from the body, a little laundry starch may 
be sifted into them. An amateur should not attempt to wash 
and fit birds for exhibition except under instructions from an 
experienced person. 
