314 



British Cage Birds. 



not suflSciently attractive in appearance for the show bench. 

 Should anyone, however, think otherwise, and determine to 

 exhibit, he should select a well-developed, brightly-plumaged 

 bird, one close and compact in feathering, of good contour, 

 and with well-formed and well-carried wings and tail, and 

 perfectly shaped feet and toes. It should be steady on the 

 perch, in good bodily condition, and scrupulously clean. 



Geneeal Eemaeks. — The Furze Wren cannot be recommended 

 to the notice of amateurs, as nothing can be said in its 

 favour. Indeed, only those fanciers who take a pride in 

 possessing rare birds will take the trouble to obtain and 

 keep it. 



Diseases and their TREATMENT.—These birds are hardy, and, 

 if kept in an outdoor aviary, supplied freely with insect food, 

 and given a frequent change of diet, are not usually prone to 

 disease. They suffer most during the moulting period ; at 

 this time give them a little hard-boiled fowls' egg, grated 

 fine, a few mealworms, and occasionally a spider ; this treat- 

 ment will generally revive them, and restore them to health. 

 If fed too exclusively on artificial food, such as the various 

 Compounds prescribed for soft-billed birds, they are apt to 

 pine, and ultimately fall into a consumption — a complaint 

 that is difficult to cure. 



