62 



British Cage Birds. 



itself, without any further attention, if the bird will rest 

 quiet ; but if it happens to be of a very restless disposition, 

 it is as well to put the limb in splints. To do this, get a 

 quill from a goose's wing, cut off the top, and split open 

 the lower part ; place a little fine cotton wadding in it, 

 which has been dipped in compound tincture of myrrh ; 

 then place the two parts round the broken limb, and secure 

 them first with adhesive paper — the margin that surrounds 

 postage stamps is best— cut in tliin strips, and finally bind 

 the whole firmly with a piece of silk or cotton thread. The 

 cage containing the patient should be kept in a warm, 

 quiet place, but where there is sufficient light for the bird 

 to feed. 



Oatareh, OB Bad Cold. — This is a very prevalent 

 complaint among birds, as it is with human beings, and is 

 brought on through similar causes. When birds are in the 

 moult, they are very susceptible to take cold, and hence it 

 is necessary to keep them away from open windows and 

 doors, where they are exposed to draughts of cold air ; and 

 on cold, sunless days they should not be allowed to bathe : 

 neither should a window be opened, where birds are moulting, 

 on damp, cold, and foggy days. A cold neglected will 

 induce Rheum and Pip. In the latter case, the nostrils 

 are stopped up, and the skin covering the tongue becomes 

 inflamed and hardened, and it is a diflScult matter, in the 

 case of small birds, to get it to operate again properly, 

 which is necessary in order that the saliva, which promotes 

 digestion, may be properly secreted. Clear the nostrils with a 

 fine feather; one of the secondary flights drawn from the 

 wing of the patient will do. Mix thirty drops of sweet 

 spirit of nitre and ten of tincture of henbane with 

 a wineglassful of water, and give in place of the ordinary 

 drinking-water — this will be found very beneficial — and 

 about the fourth day give twenty drops of medicated 

 glycerine in place of the above. This should cure it. Keep 

 the bird in a warm, dry place, and give it a nourishing 

 diet. A rusty nail placed in its drinking-water, after 

 recovery, will be of service. 



Claws and Beaks. — When these become very long or 

 unduly overgrown, they should be cut. A pair of sharp 

 scissors should be used, and the operator must be extremely 



