128 



CANARY BIRDS. 



While it is small, and sits loosely in the skin, it may be 

 removed by cauterising it with caustic stone, or, better 

 still, by severing it by means of a thin, but firm thread or 

 hair. Most frequently, however, such ulcers result from 

 internal corruption of the juices, and the local removal of 

 one of them can be of but little use, because new ones will 

 continually be forming. In such a case the bird can only 

 be saved by strictly depriving it of all unsuitable food. 

 Doses of salycil-acid with water (O,01 : 300) for about two 

 to three weeks may be of service. 



Deformities of the Beak.— If the upper part of the 



beak grows over the lower to such an extent as to incon- 

 venience the bird while feeding, it should be repeatedly 

 rubbed over with warmed salad oil, after which it must be 

 reduced to its natural length, by skilfully cutting it with a 

 very sharp knife. It would be easier to do this with pincers, 

 but it is more dangerous, as the quick, fleshy kernel of the 

 beak may be injured thereby. In every case one must 

 beware of breaking or tearing it in such a manner, for if 

 not, splits in the horn of the beak, reaching as far as the 

 kernel, is the consequence, and these are difficult to heal — 

 if they can be healed at all — and will always burst again, 

 causing much pain to the bird and hindering him from 

 feeding, so that he is likely to succumb. A split in the 

 horn of the beak will have to be cleansed once a day with 

 a painting-brush, and then brushed out with a warm oil- 

 mixture. An injured beak, and sometimes even a healthy 

 one, may suddenly begin to " overgrow " by unduly increas- 

 ing at the point, and developing a filmy split at the same 

 time. Cause : Deficient or unsuitable nourishment of the 

 horn, and a peculiar irritation of the same. Such a beak 

 can be, without much trouble, cut again to its former size, 

 and yet the bird will frequently perish through it, because 



