A CAUTION TO FANCIERS. 69 



them, and the nestlings in turn poisoned their 

 parents. I took out a sash and put up iron bars 

 instead of a glass window. The atmosphere of 

 the loft improved, canker disappeared, and has 

 not since returned. So I attribute that visita- 

 tion of epidemic to lack of ventilation. Perhaps 

 other forms of disease may be traced to the 

 same simple origin. 



After ventilation comes 



Cleanliness. 

 Do not let the droppings accumulate. Re- 

 move them wholly once a day. If you do not, 

 vermin will multiply and attack the callow young 

 in the nest, and suck them dry of blood. If 

 you find a squab, two or three days old, look- 

 ing puny and pale and death-coloured instead of 

 ruddy-hued, the rascally bloodsuckers are at 

 him hunting the precious life. Give a clean nest- 

 pan at once. If not kept under, insects storm 

 the nests in such overwhelming numbers that 

 the setting birds retreat before them, and re- 

 luctantly forsake their eggs or young. It is 

 hard work to expel these predatory rascals when 

 they are in possession. It is easy to prevent 

 their visitation by strict adherence to cleanliness. 

 When squeakers are a fortnight old I give a 



