CAGE AND SINGING BIRDS. 
the poreS; and allows the secretion necessary for digestion 
to flow out J small and delicate birds could not bear the 
operation. 
Rheum. — This also results from a cold ; the chief symp- 
tom is frequent sneezing and shaking of the head ; the best 
remedies are warmth, a bread and milk diet, and pectoral 
drink as above. 
Consumption is commonly an effect produced by unna- 
tural food, by which the digestive organs are impaired ; the 
symptoms are a falling away at the breast, swelling at th.. 
stomach, and moping; the remedies, if any there be, which 
is doubtful, are iron water, a live spider, which acts as a 
purgative, good nourishing food, with a little scraped carrot, 
water-cresses, and other vegetables. 
Constipation may be known by frequent unsuccessful 
efibrts made by the bird to relieve itself. If a live spider 
does not effect a cure, dip the head of a large pin in linseed 
oil, and introduce into the vent of the bird ; this is usually 
effectivQ— bread and milk should be the food. Bechstein re- 
commends as a laxative the skin of a meal-worm filled with 
^ linseed oil and saffron : this is readily swallowed by the 
patient. 
Dysentery. — Birds unaccustomed to the food of the 
aviary frequently suffer from this disease, which, if not 
checked quickly, will cause death ; the constant evacuation 
of a chalky looking fluid, which sticks about the vent and 
under parts of the body and greatly inflames them, is an in- 
timation of the danger to which the songster is exposed. In 
this case iron water and a linseed oil clyster, applied on ^ae 
head of a pin, have been found serviceable. Let the food be 
as natural as possible 5 warm bread and milk, v/ith .lard 
boiled yolk of egg, is good ; the sore parts should be ano nted 
with fresh butter. 
Pimples, or Obstruction of the Rump Gla d. — 
This is a gland which forms part of the structural eco omy 
of every bird, and is intended for secreting the oily subs ance 
required to render the plumage supple and impervious to 
wet. The bird presses this gland, which is situated ^^us** 
above the rump, with its bill, and the oil oozes out 5 if this is 
not done frequently, the opening is apt to get clogged, an 
there being no vent for the increasino; contents of the gland, 
