on the Transport of Birds.



341



be feared ; heat may cause discomfort in some places, as in the

Red Sea in the summer months, but if direct sun—which of

course in the tropics is deadly dangerous—be avoided, heat is

less risky than cold. A bird may be panting for days and not

seriously upset; far otherwise if he has been shivering.


It must, therefore, be clearly understood, that success must

depend to a very great extent on facilities for keeping the stock

warm and sheltered ; but, of course, the better the birds are fed,

and the more comfortably they are housed, the better can they

resist the ordeals that may come. But, on the whole, I think

that small cages, which can be put inside somewhere, are far

safer speculations in most voyages than large ones which must

stand on deck, although in these the stock can exercise better.


With regard to attendance, one will, I should hope, always

feed and clean one’s birds one’s-self: I always did, and welcomed

the work as a relief from the monotony of shipboard life. But

the functionary—butcher or “stock topass ”—who is supposed

to do these things, should in all cases be conciliated by a fee;

his interest should be secured, and any money laid out in this

way is well spent. But I object to letting these people look after

birds if I possibly can—if any blunders are made I prefer to take

the risk of my own rather than other people’s; though, of course

if there is much stock, or very dirty work, assistance is of some

use. In the case of sending birds in the charge of a ship’s

butcher or other maritime employe, the same principle of paying

well should be observed ; parsimoniousness in these matters is

fatal as well as unfair. The best plan is to give the man a lump

sum and a percentage on sound arrivals. An intelligent and

conscientious man, well treated, will get as good results, often,

as one could one’s-self.


A few words as to what to select in the matter of stock

may not be amiss in conclusion. Throughout this article I have

tried to provide for the unexpected that proverbially always

happens ; so I will assume that our importer knows little about

the avicultural possibilities of the country he is going to, and

little of the trade in the home country. I therefore advise, on

general principles, avoiding anything one knows to be in the

trade already, unless this is rare or usually arrives in poor con-



