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Classic
Cook Books
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page 451
New Jersey; timothy 44; flax seed 56; potatoes 60; beans 60, but in Ohio 56, and
New York 62; dried peaches 28 to 33; dried apples 22 to 28.
MOCKING-BIRDS--Should have large cages with tight board backs, kept scrupulously
clean. Cover the bottom of the tray with paper, and on it spread sand, fine
gravel and bones that have been burned and powdered. Hang a small bag of sulphur
in the top of the cage, and red pepper in the pod should be tied to the sides.
Give meat of some sort every day; either a bit of beefsteak half an inch long
and the size of the little finger (this should be cut with scissors across the
grain into small pieces), or grasshoppers, angle-worms, or white garden grubs.
Most birds relish apples and berries, and are healthier for eating them. They
are also fond of lettuce leaves, which are good food for them. A large bathing
dish should be placed in the cage in the morning, and removed after the bird has
taken a good bath. Sudden changes of temperature, or hanging the cage in a
draft, must be avoided. In buying a bird, question the dealer concerning the
kind of food on which it has been brought up; for bird-raisers differ as to what
food is best, and success or failure may depend on this knowledge, when it
changes owners. Whatever food the bird has been brought up on it is best to
continue, or bring about a change gradually. If sick, give a brown spider, and
it will generally cure. Sometimes a warm bath will relieve. Occasionally bunches
will come on the head: rub on a little camphor, taking care not to get it in the
eyes. Almost all diseases come from want of cleanliness or neglect. Sore eyes
come from perches that have not been kept clean. They shed their feathers in
August, and will not sing, and often act stupid; but their songs will be loud
enough when their feathers come again. The male bird is much the best singer.
Some say the female sings a little, and some say only a chirp and a squawk. It
is difficult to distinguish them. Bird merchants say that the male birds have
nine white feathers on the wing, and the female only eight, and this is the rule
usually given. They do not mock with full power until they are a year old. Tunes
are best taught them with a flute, the player sitting under the cage and out of
sight.
CANARY BIRDS.--Do not keep in a room that is being painted or has odor of new
paint. Do not hang over a stove or grate which contains fire. Do not set the
cage in a window, and shut it down upon it; the draft is injurious. Do not wash
cage bottom, but scrape clean with a knife, and then put on some fresh gravel;
the moisture breeds red mites, and is injurious to the bird. Do not keep the
birds you intend to breed in the spring together during the winter. Do not keep
single birds in a room where others are breeding, or males and females in mating
season in the same room in separate cages, as it is likely to cause mating
fever. Feed canary on rape seed, but no hemp. For diarrhea put a rusty piece of
iron in water dish, changing water not oftener than twice a week, and bread
boiled in milk as for asthma; boil well in this case, so that when cold it will
cut like cheese; give freely with plenty of vegetables.
Moulting is not a disease, yet during this season all birds are more or less
sick, and some suffer severely. They require plenty of nourishing food. Worms,
insects, and fruits to those which eat them; and to those which live upon dry
seeds, bread dipped in milk, fruit and vegetables.--Mrs. Mary Winget.
The German metallic-enameled cages are the best--white and green (a combination
of) or a light chocolate are the best colors; they are not painted as are the
cages made here in America, but the color is burnt into the wires. Avoid wooden
or brass cages, also conical "fountains" for food and drink; for the latter,
square or round cups of china or glass are the best. The
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