72 



British Cage Birds. 



soda, or washing powder. Paraffin is sometimes used in place 

 of the solution of sulphate of copper ; but, although it is 

 beneficial, it is not nearly so efficacious. If the cages are very 

 badly infested, the birds should be removed for a day or two, 

 and the cages fumigated by burning a piece of tobacco or 

 sulphur inside them, on a small tin plate or old tin lid of 

 any sort, or a small flower-pot saucer — in fact, anything most 

 handy will answer this purpose. After this process, the cages 

 should be scalded out and whitewashed ; if they have wooden 

 backs and ends, a little powdered alum mixed in the white- 

 wash is commendable. 



Phthisis, or Consumption. — This is one of the most diffi- 

 cult complaints to deal with to which cage birds are liable. 

 It is known more commonly among fanciers as " Decline." 

 Birds suffering from this disease are usually very restless, 

 and they look dull and listless in the eyes. When sitting 

 quiet they raise their feathers, and so give themselves a 

 rough, uncouth appearance. They are, when suffering from 

 this malady, almost constantly at the feeding-trough ; the seed- 

 eating birds shelling and throwing their seed about, and others 

 the food supplied to them. They eat voraciously, but, for all 

 that, they waste away, and become so thin in condition that 

 their breast-bones are like knives, and almost protrude 

 through the flesh. This disease may result from a variety 

 of causes, but more particularly from indigestion resulting 

 from improper diet, and the want of a plentiful supply of 

 proper sand and gravel ; or a want of fresh air and exercise 

 and nutritive diet may produce it. To resort to the natural 

 food of the bird in a wild state is the best remedy. With 

 insectivorous birds, a spider occasionally, and a few meal- 

 worms, will be found beneficial, and, in the case of grani- 

 vorous birds, dandelion leaves and watercress, and a few 

 grains of linseed daily, will be found of great service. From 

 twenty to thirty drops of Parrish's Chemical Food should be 

 added to the drinking-water once or twice a week for two 

 or three weeks, and then a little gum arable (the elect gum) 

 should be substituted, with the addition of an equal quantity 

 of sugar candy, say ten grains of each to two fluid ounces 

 of water. A little white bread, soaked in warm milk, should 

 be given occasionally as a change of diet. 



SoEE Feet. — Cage birds, when neglected, are very prone 



