CARE OF CAPTIVE ANIMALS — WALKER 331 



MockingUrd food. — This is made up by preparing a stoclc food consisting of 5 

 parts of zwiebacli, 1 part of crissal (meat meal), V2 part of ant eggs. To this 

 stoclf food add as used : hard-boiled eggs, grated carrots, ground hemp seed, and 

 cod liver oil. The stock food can be made up in quantities and stored indefinitely. 



Ensilage (silage) has been so extensively and successfully used in 

 feeding cattle and other livestock that it might well be tried as a food 

 for some of the wild animals kept in captivity, such as bison, antelopes, 

 deer, sheep, goats, and others. 



The prepared fish foods are the most convenient and economical 

 diet for small aquarium fish that are kept in most homes. 



"Ajit eggs," which are really the dried eggs of termites, are valuable 

 food for many insectivorous birds, and are particularly valuable when 

 birds of paradise are moulting and growing their new plumage. It is 

 entirely possible that these eggs would also be valuable for small 

 insectivores. 



Honey is particularly enjoyed by bears. 



SOURCES OF FOOD 



To obtain suitable foods for various animals kept in captivity will 

 frequently tax the resourcefulness of the caretaker. It should be 

 borne in mind, however, that pet stores and animal dealers generally 

 carry some of the unusual types of material required. In addition to 

 the markets and stores that sell the usual vegetables, meats, fish, seeds, 

 and fruits, bakeries can supply stale bread which is still palatable and 

 excellent animal food. Meat-packing plants and abbatoirs can fur- 

 nish animal offal, some of which is particularly valuable. In poultry 

 markets, the viscera and heads of chickens, turkeys, and other fowl 

 can be obtained. Fish livers can often be obtained at fish markets, 

 wharves, and canneries. 



Biological supply houses are also usually able to furnish articles 

 that are not on the ordinary market, such as frogs, tadpoles, toads, 

 snakes, and other wild material. Another means of obtaining food is 

 to solicit the help of local boys, who are almost invariably interested 

 and willing, for a small consideration, to obtain such material as 

 insects, worms, frogs, toads, salamanders, crabs, crayfish, and plants. 

 Valuable help can also be obtained from fishermen, hunters, and trap- 

 pers, who may be willing to supplement their incomes or to tell one 

 where and how to capture material. 



CAGES AND ENCLOSURES 



Animals are so varied in their needs that many different types of 

 cages, enclosures, shipping crates, and other devices are needed for 

 safekeeping and displaying them under conditions which will main- 

 tain them in good health. In general, all devices for restraining 



