MANAGEMENT OF CAPTIVE BIRDS. 197 
is a cleaner arrangement than the sanded tray when 
space and time are limited. Of course in this case some 
gravel should be supplied in a food-pot. Green food 
should also be occasionally given to birds on board ship ; 
to delicate insectivorous species it is usually possible 
to give cockroaches as live food. If none can be had, 
pellets of minced washed raw meat should be given 
occasionally, but not too liberally, lest scouring be caused. 
The larger insectivorous species are much hardier in this 
respect, and are easy to manage. 
Of course the best time to take birds home is in the 
hot weather; but too much heat in the Red Sea isa 
disadvantage, though not so dangerous as the winter’s 
cold further on. 
Birds on board ship are usually looked after by the 
butcher, who should of course be propitiated by a sub- 
.? As the charge of freight on birds—in 
the P. & O. at all events—is one pound per ordinary- 
sized cage, it is obvious that a single bird is not worth 
stantial ‘‘tip 
taking home, unless a decided rarity or a much-prized 
pet. 
