The Brown Linnet. 



139 



stitutional derangement. Hybrids between the Goldfinch and 

 Brown Linnet, and also the Bullfinch and Brown Linnet, have 

 frequently been obtained ; but the handsomest are those ob- 

 tained from a cross between the Canary and Brown Linnet, 

 which breed freely together. 



Diseases and their Treatment. — Brown Linnets are healthy, 

 cheerful birds, and live from five to sixteen years in confine- 

 ment, under ordinary circumstances ; but, of course, much 

 depends upon the attention and judicious treatment bestowed 

 upon them by their owners. Overfeeding, and a too liberal 

 diet, is as pernicious and baneful in its consequences as 

 neglect, and the results are pretty nearly equal. Some people 

 do not give their birds even an occasional bath, and, in such 

 cases, there is a danger of the bird neglecting to use its 

 lubricator, or oil gland — a provision in Nature for birds to 

 protect themselves in wet weather. This gland is situate on 

 the rump, immediately above the tail, and, if not used, it 

 frequently becomes hard and swollen, and ulcerates. When 

 this is found to be the case, it should be anointed with a 

 little goose grease and moist sugar, or a little basilicon oint- 

 ment ; but if there be an accumulation of matter, it should 

 be let out with a fine needle, and the place afterwards 

 pressed very gently, and then dressed with a little spermaceti 

 ointment or fine olive oil. Care must be taken not to probe 

 the gland too much, for fear of injuring it. When a bird is 

 known to be suffering from this complaint, give it a fresh 

 lettuce leaf, or a few melon seeds, bruised or chopped in small 

 pieces. When it has recovered, discontinue the latter. 



Linnets are liable to scouring," mostly occasioned by 

 giving them unwholesome seeds, or permitting the drinking- 

 water to become turbid and foul. There are three different 

 stages of this complaint. The first is when the excrement 

 appears thin, with a blackish substance in the middle of it ; 

 this is not a dangerous form. The second stage is when it 

 appears black and white mixed, and not so thin as the first, 

 but more clammy and foetid. In either of the above cases, 

 give melon seed, shred in small pieces, and lettuce seed, 

 bruised, and place a little Spanish liquorice juice and a 

 few shreds of saffron in the drinking-water. The third 

 stage is generally induced by neglect or want of attention 

 during the earlier stages of the complaint ; in this case the 



