Some notes on the transport ot birds.



37



rather favour in type those of the Melba finch than those of the

common firefinch, but the upper mandible is darker in colour. Their

eyelids and eyes are not the same colour as those of the common

African firefinch.


Coming from Senegambia and ranging from thereto the Niger

andWhiteNile (Upper), I should not advise “ refrigerator treatment,”

although they stand an unheated room without shivering in winter.

Butler, quoting Ussher. says: “They are one of the commonest

birds on the West Coast of Africa, being extremely tame and fre¬

quenting the vicinity of houses.” There is no need for me to waste

valuable space by employing an elaborate description of the species,

because skins can be seen at South Kensington, and possessors of a

fairly modern library of bird books are sure to find it fully described.



SOME NOTES ON THE TRANSPORT

OF BIRDS.


By Albert Pam.


Few members of our Society may have the opportunity and

good luck to bring back to this country a large collection of foreign

birds, but a few hints on the subject may be of interest and possibly

of use.


The three most important items to consider in this connection

are: (l) Cages; (2) Feeding ; and (3) Cleaning. I shall deal with

.these in the order named.


(1) Cages.


These should be made of wood, strong enough to stand some

rough handling by being passed by crane over the ship’s side from

the wharf and vice versa. They should have battens at the top and

bottom so that, if necessary, one cage can be stacked on the top of

another, and so that a cage does not rest directly on the deck or

floor. Large cages should be provided with handles on their sides

to facilitate handling, and all should be provided with a canvas

screen fixed to the top; this screen is necessary in very windy

w 7 eather and should be lowered at night, so that the birds are not

disturbed by burning lights or passing passengers or crew.



