The Bullfinch. 



121 



this food dry. A little lettuce, groundsel, or ripe chickweed, 

 should be given sparingly two or three times a week, but 

 this should be quite fresh and sweet. 



Bullfinches are subject to costiveness when fed too much on 

 hemp seed, and, when this is observable, put half a dozen 

 senna leaves in a teacup, pour a little boiling water over 

 them, and, when cold, give the infusion thus made instead 

 of water to drink. As soon as the birds are freely relieved 

 this treatment must be discontinued. A little Spanish juice, 

 or liquorice, placed in the drinking water, or a few drops 

 of molasses, will generally prevent this very objectionable 

 state of the body. They are, as most other wild birds appear 

 to be, subject at times to attacks of diarrhoea and epilepsy, 

 and the same treatment must be observed in such cases as 

 that recommended in Chapter V., on Diseases." Eape seed 

 (German summer rape), soaked in water and well rinsed, is 

 sometimes beneficial when a bird is a little out of sorts. 



