THE CHAFFINCH. 
•used to the cage food. Their evacuations are white and tena- 
cious, sticking to the tail feathers, and from its acrid character 
inflaming the surrounding parts. Apply linseed-oil to the 
parts affected, and put a pinch of iron rust in the drinking- 
vessel every morning. Try and procure him a little of his 
natural food — the seeds of the fir, oats, linseed, mustard- seed, 
&c. Mix these with soaked rape-seed. Or, clear away the 
feathers beneath the tail, and anoint with fresh butter, mixing 
hard-boiled yolk-of-egg with the food. 
The chaffinch, in common with others of the tribe, is subject 
to “ snuffles,” which is a fever produced by cold. The com- 
plaint may be recognized by the root of the beak growing 
yellow, and a frequent gaping which reveals the tongue dry 
and parched. Administer a pill as big as a peppercorn, made 
of equal parts of butter, pepper, and garlic. If not speedily 
relieved, the consequences of this disease will be fatal. 
If the chaffinch be afflicted with mites, syringe him with water 
in which quicksilver has been steeped, bathe him frequently, 
give him fresh sand daily, and be particular in keeping him 
exceedingly clean. 
Chaffinches as they become old are frequently lamed by the 
accumulation of scales upon their legs. The upper ones should 
in the most careful manner be removed by loosening them 
from time to time with the point of a penknife. Cut his claws 
every six weeks, not too close or they will bleed. If, however, 
you hold them up to the light, you will be able to see how far 
the veins extend, and to regulate your scissors accordingly. 
CHAPTER III. 
THE BULLFINCH. 
Among the whole tribe of singing-birds, there exists no bet- 
ter illustration of the truism “give a dog a bad name, and j 
hang him,” than the bullfinch. Ask the gardener, ask the 
florist what sort of a character the bullfinch bears, and when 
they have recovered from the indignation the mere mention of 
the bird’s name has created, they will tell you he is a robber, 
a devouring dragon at fruit-tree buds, a pilferer of peaches and 
other luscious wall-fruits ; and if you shake your head incredu- 
lously, the florist and the gardener can quote old naturalists by 
the score in support of their opinion. 
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