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 is a 

 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- 

 stantial "tip." As the charge of freight on birds in 

 the P. & 0. at all events is one pound per ordinary - 

 sized cage, it is obvious that a single bird is not worth 

 taking home, unless a decided rarity or a much-prized 

 pet. 



