70 



British Cage Birds. 



temperature, or by tlie bird bathing on a cold day, or, 

 probably, by being exposed to the night air through 

 neglecting to close the window of the room. Nothing will 

 throw a bird out of health so soon as this, hence care 

 must be taken to guard against it. When a bird is un- 

 fortunate enough to meet with a check to the moulting 

 process, it should be fed on very nourishing diet, have a 

 few shreds of saffron and a few drops of nitre added 

 to its drinking-water, and be exposed to a very warm 

 temperature for a few days. A steam or vapour bath will 

 be found most useful in obstinate cases of this kind. 

 Put the bird into a small wired cage, then fill a large 

 basin two-thirds full of water almost up to boiling point, 

 and place the bird and cage on top, covering the whole 

 loosely with light flannel for ten minutes. When the cage 

 is removed, a dry flannel cover should be put over it, and 

 it should then be placed near the fire, and gradually 

 removed further away until the bird in it has regained its 

 normal temperature. If the bird does not begin to cast its 

 feathers freely after this process, in the course of three or 

 four days, renew it. It seldom requires a second applica- 

 tion. 



Obstruction of the Eump Gland. — This gland is situated 

 at the root of the tail, and is what may be termed the 

 bird's lubricator, as all birds use it more or less when they 

 trim their feathers, and when in a wild state they will be 

 observed to be frequently pluming themselves, as the appli- 

 cation of the oil to the feathers protects them in a great 

 measure from the effect of wet, and they instinctively know 

 this and prepare themselves accordingly. Birds, however, that 

 are being constantly kept in cages, and who are seldom 

 supplied with a bath, do not need this protection ; hence 

 they sometimes neglect to use the gland, and the consequences 

 are that, through disuse, it is apt to become enlarged and 

 hardened. When a bird is suffering from this complaint, it 

 will cease to sing, and sit in a melancholy and listless 

 manner, with its tail bent downwards, and occasionally 

 peck at the enlarged gland. A heaving motion in the chest 

 and bowels will also be noticeable, as if the bird was 

 suffering much pain. If the gland becomes enlarged and full 

 of matter, it is best to let it out with a fine sewing-needle ; 



