GENERAL CARE 8i 



juice for a few days in succession. This course will very 

 often induce a healthy renewal of the plumage. 



Egg-binding is a very frequent source of trouble. It may 

 be caused by an over-fat condition of the bird, absence of 

 shell-forming grit or, in the case of birds in unhealed quar- 

 ters, by a sudden cold snap. Removal to a warm cage and 

 the anointing of the vent with warm olive oil will generally 

 cause oviposition. If it does not, careful exposure of the 

 vent to steam will almost certainly bring about relief, but 

 the bird must be protected from scalding. 



Sore feet are a common complaint. Dirty or unsuitable 

 perches will often bring about such a condition, but many 

 birds, no matter how well cared for, are troubled as old age 

 comes on. The feet should be washed carefully in warm 

 water, well dried and anointed with vaseline or some simi- 

 lar dressing. 



Scaly leg, which is prevalent among game birds, is much 

 more difficult to treat. Many prefer heroic measures, such 

 as dipping the feet in kerosene, and good results are not 

 uncommon. Five parts of white vaseline to one part of 

 caraway oil, as recommended by the Maine Agricultural 

 Experiment Station, is the best remedy known to the writer. 

 Its persistent application with a stiff toothbrush will eventu- 

 ally reach and destroy the parasites which cause the incrus- 

 tation. 



Lice are seldom present in a well-ordered collection, and 

 if new birds are isolated for a time there will be little 

 trouble. The habit of covering cages with cloths at night 

 is an excellent means for breeding lice, which find a lodging 

 in the folds of the cloth. When their presence is suspected 

 the occupants of the cage should be removed and thoroughly 

 dusted with Persian insect powder. The cage should be 

 washed with hot water containing some disinfectant, such 

 as creolin; or if this is not practicable, it should be sprayed 



