6o 



British Cage Birds. 



pain. When this is observed, remove the afflicted bird at once, 

 carry it to an open window, or into the open air, and 

 sprinkle cold water on its head. If there is any ammonia 

 at hand, pour a little of it into a saucer, and, if very strong, 

 dilute with a little water; hold the head of the bird over it. 

 If a very severe case, heat a dinner plate, or other conve- 

 nient vessel, drop a few drops of the liquid upon it, and 

 hold the bird over it in such a position as will enable it to 

 inhale the vapour which arises therefrom. 



Should the bird revive, keep it cool and quiet for some 

 time, and give a little opening medicine — a few grains of 

 Epsom salts, or a little infusion of senna leaves in its drinking 

 water. If the bird has been observed to be costive — strain- 

 ing at its stools — give it at once two or three drops of castor 

 oil on the end of a knitting-needle, which has been mode- 

 rately heated to make the oil run readily. In winter time, 

 the oil should be heated before a fire, to thin it. Diet the 

 patient as plainly as possible, according to the species of 

 bird affected. There is likewise another kind of apoplexy, 

 or sunstroke, brought on by hanging birds at a window in 

 a scorching sunlight. This should be guarded against by 

 either shading or removing the cage. 



Asthma. — This malady can be readily distinguished from 

 Consumption by the periodical character of its attacks, and 

 the wheezing sound which always accompanies it is a charac- 

 teristic symptom that can scarcely be mistaken. Asthma, 

 like Phthisis, varies in its symptoms. An asthmatic bird 

 "pants" very much (a heaving motion of the chest and 

 sides), but a consumptive bird rarely does so. In damp or 

 foggy weather this symptom is most observable, and the bird 

 seems scarcely able to breathe; the mouth opens and closes 

 involuntarily, and occasionally the bird ejects matter from 

 its mouth with a "Chitt, chitt!" Birds suffering from 

 this painful complaint should be kept in a dry atmosphere, 

 and fed sparingly with light, nutritious food. A cake, made 

 with a little ground rice, arrowroot, powdered loaf sugar, 

 and the yolks of two eggs, mixed together, moderately well 

 baked, and then broken in pieces, and soaked in warm 

 milk, will be found most useful for all "soft-billed birds." 



The bowels of the patient should be carefully attended to, 

 and a mild aperient given once or twice a week — a few 



