The Goldfinch. 



89 



drops of castor oil dropped on the root of the tongue from 

 the end of a knitting-needle, which has been previously 

 heated, to prevent too large a dose being given ; or a few 

 senna leaves may be placed in its drinking-water, and a 

 small sprinkling of Epsom salts, as much as will lie on a 

 sixpence. 



In giving the bath, water of the temperature of about 

 90deg. to lOOdeg. should be put into a small basin, and 

 the bird placed in it, with its head only above the surface of the 

 water. It should be held in the hand the whole time, and the 

 head placed between the fore-finger and thumb. It may be 

 necessary, before the time expires, to add a little more warm 

 water. When the bird is taken out, it should be dried with 

 an old silk handkerchief, or something soft and pliable, before 

 being placed in the flannel. Sometimes a little of the liquor 

 of ammonia, put into a wineglass, filled up with water, and 

 the head of the bird held over it, will give considerable 

 relief. Birds subject to this complaint should not be used 

 for breeding purposes. 



If a bird droops, and you cannot prognosticate its ailment, put 

 a few shreds of saffron in its drinking-water ; and if purged, 

 which can be discovered by examining its excrement, a little 

 prepared chalk should be mixed with a little white bread 

 sopped in milk. Thistle seed is generally the best remedy 

 for undefinable ailments, and next to this plantain and 

 poppy seed. These birds are sometimes, but rarely, attacked 

 with cramp — in which case, the remedy mentioned in the 

 chapter on "Diseases" should be resorted to. 



