CAGE AND SINGING BIRDS. 
99 
Cog-es of fir or other soft wood are most liable to be infested 
with vermin : there is nothing- like a mahogany or a metal 
cage for the comfort of your birds. 
The following diseases are not mentioned by Bechstein 
with those to which the canary is especially liable, but as the 
bird does suffer from them, and requires some peculiarity of 
treatment, we mention them here : — 
Ohstmction of the Itwnp Gland, — This is sometimes 
called the Pip, and is manifested by a swelling or small 
pimple which makes its appearance in the rump of the bird. 
If it does not go ^ away of itself, which it frequently will, it 
may be opened with the point of a fine needle, the matter 
squeezed out, and a little salt or brown sugar, previously 
moistened with the tongue, placed over the sore, which will 
quickly heal. This swelHng is frequently an indication that 
your bird is out of health. If he sits all of a heap, and 
frequently twitches his tail, see if his motions be hard ) and 
if so, give him some oatmeal and a little watercress for a few^ 
mornings ) also change his seed, and put a few drops of spirits 
of nitre into his water. 
Diarrhoea' — This is frequently a fatal disease with ca- 
naries, as with other cage birds. The bird attacked with it 
constantly voids a white fluid matter, which causes great in- 
flammation of the rectum. The best remedial measures are 
as much natural food as possible, the drinking water im- 
pregnated with iron, a piece of chalk stuck between the 
wires of the cage for the bird to nibble, or some scraped 
chalk scattered on the bottom : some authorities recommend 
that the belly of the patient should be rubbed over with olive 
oil or oil of sweet almonds, and that melon seed bruised shall 
be given to it, with the yolk of hard-boiled egg, stale sponge 
cakes, and slightly scalded lettuce. We cannot say that we 
^ have much faith in any of these so-called remedies ; chalk 
and iron, and natural food, are the grand things. 
Moulting Sickness. — This is most dangerous to young 
' birds, and generally commences when they are about six 
weeks old, and continues for a couple of months or so. You 
will observe that the birds lose their natural vivacity, and 
1 sit moping about with their heads under their wings, and 
I soon the bottom of the cage will be strewed with the shed 
feathers. All you have then to do is to keep them quiet, 
