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British Cage Birds. 



The Hedge Sparrow has one pecuHarity not common to 

 many species — it invariably sings during an encounter with 

 another bird, whether in a wild state or when in an aviary. 

 It is, however, much more peaceably disposed than many of 

 its congeners, being of a quiet and tractable disposition, and 

 disposed to be on friendly terms with other occupants of the 

 aviary. It is, for all that, quite capable of defending itself 

 when an emergency arises, and can give great trouble to any 

 bird its own size and weight, for it is very tenacious when 

 once aroused to combat. 



Diseases and their Treatment. — As a rule, this bird 

 may be considered healthy. It suffers most from a sort of 

 dry scurvy, which causes the feathers to come off, especially 

 about the head an'd neck, and if neglected, it spreads, and 

 even ulcerates. It is a kind of surfeit, brought on through 

 want of frequent change of diet. Supply green food plen- 

 tifully when this disease appears, also ants' eggs and meal- 

 worms daily, and occasionally a spider or two. A bath 

 should be given frequently ; a few grains of the milk, 

 or flowers of sulphur, as it is commonly called, should be 

 put in a basin, and boiling water put over it ; when cold, 

 the liquid should be strained off, and given to the bird in 

 some convenient vessel for it to bathe in. 



