These provide the bird with the necessary fatty substance for the maintenance of the plumage, and easily become affected, especially in the case of cage birds. This may be the reason, particularly with the parrots, of the irregular or failing moult (see page 50). Most frequently the glands get too full of fatty matter, and they then become hard or suppurate, so as to resemble a gathering, which is often erroneously taken for pip, and an attempt made to heal it by cutting it open or by foolishly cutting it off, by which the bird is exposed to the danger of losing its life. Preventative measures: These I will state at greater length in speaking of "Corpulency"; but above all frequent voluntary or forced bathing may be recommended. Treatment'. Careful examination, whether the glands contain hard fat or true pus. In the first case, smear with warm olive oil, two or three times daily; and have recourse to much green food, motion, and careful bathing with lukewarm water. If pus be present, careful puncturation, gentle pressure, and, according to Zurn's recommendation, touching with a solution of boric acid (13). When inflammation of the vent glands arises (this usually takes place simultaneously with purging), remove the nearest feathers, apply a rag with Goulard water (11), and, according to Zurn, cautiously smear the part with a solution of carbolic acid (47); then smear with mild grease, glycerine (25), or zinc ointment (86).

Diseases of the Ovary, of course, occur in parrots; but as no experiences concerning these are on record, nor any remedy prescribed, and as they are unlikely to occur in birds kept singly, I will here pass them over in silence. On the other hand, a parrot kept alone in a cage may often lay one or more eggs; this even happens with some birds regularly every year. Usually this is of no consequence, for even if the bird appears indisposed for a few days, yet it recovers; happily only in rare cases does it become really ill with the effort to lay. Symptoms: Heaviness, inclining to motionlessness, cowering on the ground, the hinder part of the body swollen, shuddering from time to time. Preventative measures: Administer lime as mentioned (page 33). Very carefully avoid all fright and anxiety, as in any illness; prevent the bird becoming too fat. Treatment: Vapour bath, equal temperature, the utmost quiet possible, and careful dropping in of warm oil in the opening of the ovary, as described on page 59; but in this case it must be done with the head of a somewhat larger pin, the cavity being carefully opened as far as the egg, which must, of course, be pricked and gently pressed out.