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Our  Canaries 
TUMOURS. 
Hard  nodules  of  cheesy  matter  which  sometimes  appear  about  the  head 
and  neck  are  often  most  easily  removed  by  operation.  But  as  unskilled 
interference  is  very  apt  to  make  matters  worse,  and  cause  unnecessary 
suffering,  the  amateur  should  not  attempt  the  operation  by  himself  (or  herself). 
WHEEZINESS. 
As  will  be  seen  from  Dr.  Bowes'  article  this  may  result  from  a  variety 
of  causes.  When  due  to  over-feeding,  saline  aperients  should  be  added  to 
the  water  for  a  time,  the  amount  of  solid  food  limited,  and  a  fair  supply  of 
green  food  added  to  take  the  place  of  the  solid  food  withdrawn.  A  favourite 
remedy  for  wheezy  birds  and  songsters  when  commencing  to  sing  after  moult- 
mg  (to  clear  away  the  huskiness),  is  a  paste  made  by  taking  the  yolk  of  a 
hard-boiled  egg,  whilst  hot,  and  well  mashing  up  with  it  a  heaped  teaspoonful 
of  lard,  a  similar  quantity  of  soft  sugar,  a  salt  spoonful  of  powdered  grain  of 
paradise,  and  a  similar  quantity  of  cayenne,  and  a 
teaspoonful  of  maw  seed.  The  heat  of  the  egg  will 
reduce  all  to  a  soft,  pasty  mass ;  add  a  little  finely 
powdered  biscuit  to  reduce  it  to  a  fairly  stiff  dough, 
and  spread  out  in  a  layer  about  half  an  inch  thick  to 
dry.  When  cold  it  will  be  much  harder,  and  may 
be  cut  into  cubes  and  a  piece  stuck  in  the  wires  of 
the  cages  where  and  when  required  for  the  birds  to 
peck  at. 
WORMS. 
Although  not  free  from  the  attacks  of  a  variety 
of  intestinal  parasites,  Canaries  should  not  be  treated 
for  them  indiscriminately,  as  the  pest  is  not  really 
of  common  occurrence.  When  ocular  proof  of  their  presence  is  found 
in  the  droppings,  all  food  should  be  taken  away  at  night,  and  next  morning 
a  teaspoonful  of  crushed  sponge  cake  slightly  dusted  on  top  with  fresh  ground 
areca  nut  given.  When  a  fair  amount  of  this  has  been  consumed  give  two 
drops  of  olive  oil  in  the  beak,  and  add  four  drops  each  of  tincture  of  gentian  and 
tincture  calumba  to  each  tablespoonful  of  drinking  water  for  three  or  four  days. 
WOUNDS. 
When  these  occur  from  any  cause  the  place  should  be  bathed  until  quite 
clean  in  warm  water  to  which  a  few  drops  of  Izal  or  Jeyes  disinfectant  has 
been  added ;  or  a  solution  of  boracic  acid — a  teaspoonful  of  acid  to  a  tea- 
cupful  of  water — may  be  employed.  Then  dry  carefully  and  paint  over  the 
wounded  surface  with  Friar's  Balsam.  This  may  be  repeated  daily  if  the 
wound  is  of  a  serious  nature  until  it  is  getting  nicely  healed.  In  all  simple  cases 
it  is  best  not  to  interfere  as  long  as  the  healing  process  goes  on  satisfactorily. 
Diseased  Foot  of  Canary. 
