144 
CAGE AND SINGING BIRDS. 
scare and frig-liten tliem : tempting morsels are offered to 
them and withdrawn, to see what pretty rages they get intoj 
dogs are set to yelp and jump at them, and all sorts of 
positive cruelties perpetrated, to say nothing* of the negative 
ones of neglecting to minister to their wants and comforts 
regularly and effectually. 
Nothing, perhaps, conduces to the health and vivacity of 
a parrot more than cleanliness, and yet how often is this 
grievously neglected to save a little trouble. Not only 
should this be strictly attended to in the dweUing, but also 
in the person of the bird. The feet should be carefully 
washed from impurities, and the plumage occasionally 
syringed with warm water, if the bathing is neglected, or 
fails to remove any defilements contracted. All parrot cages 
should have a grating at the bottom, and a drawer supplied 
with sifted gravel or very coarse sand, which should be put 
in fresh every other day. This grating and the perches 
should be occasionally scraped, and the cage itself tho- 
roughly cleansed about once a month, taking care that it is 
quite dry before the bird is put into it. The water should 
be fresh every day, and also the food of a moist nature. 
And with regard to food, we would fain offer a few remarks 
supplemental to those included in our accounts of the several 
species. 
Bread and milk is generally the staple prison diet of birds 
of this kind, and it should be thus prepared : first, cut the 
bread in slices, and pour over it warm water ; let it soak a 
short time, and then squeeze it as dry as possible ; then 
allow it to absorb as much fresh boiled milk as it will 
without being too moist : this kind of soft food should not 
be exclusively used; an occasional change is necessary, and 
this may consist, for the larger kinds, of biscuits broken 
email, farinaceous grain, nuts of any kind, except bitter ; 
almonds, and fruit, both hard and soft ; Indian corn is good, 
but this should be boiled first, drained dry, and suffered to ; 
cool. For the smaller kinds, also, a little fruit, with hemp 
seed, canar}^ seed, and millet, &c. 
Zinc and pewter food vessels are sometimes used, but 
these are liable to be acted on by the moist food, especially if 
at all acidulous, and render that which should be nutritious 
highly pernicious. Glass and earthenware are the best] 
