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Report of the Council for 1918-1919



number of the Avicultural Magazine, it may perhaps be interesting to

readers that the Blacks do—or did, one ought to say now—roll them¬

selves up in the freshly taken off skin to cure their rheumatics ; the

fat or oil is supposed to possess great curative properties in this and

other troubles.—G. A. Heumann.


Egg-laying of Hooded Crane. —A Hooded Crane (Grus monachus)

laid two fine eggs here this summer. I expect this is the first occurrence

in Europe. Unfortunately I have lost my male bird.—W. H.

St. Quintin.



REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR 1918-1919


In issuing their Report for the past year the Council wishes to draw

particular attention to three important changes that have been

introduced in that period :—


(1) The Increase of the Subscription .—The unprecedented rise in

wages and the price of material, augmenting by over one hundred per

cent the cost of production of the Magazine, compelled the Executive

reluctantly to raise the subscription from ten to twenty shillings per

annum. Although it was feared that this course might lose the

Society the support of some lukewarm subscribers, the confidence of

the Council that the wisdom of their decision would appeal to the

majority of aviculturists was justified beyond expectation, and the

response to the inevitable demand was most gratifying. With very

few exceptions the members fully appreciated the necessity for the

call made upon them, and willingly acquiesced in the innovation.


(2) The Change of Ptiblishers .—In spite of the additional revenue

resulting from the increased subscription the Treasurer found the

income of the Society insufficient to meet the high cost of issuing the

Magazine at the rates charged by printers in London. It w r as decided,

therefore, to open negotiations with provincial firms, and arrangements

were finally made with Stephen Austin & Sons, of Hertford, w r ell known

to some members of the Council as experienced printers of scientific

periodicals at relatively reasonable charges. That the saving in

expense thus achieved has not affected adversely the character and

style of the Magazine will be admitted by all Members of the Society.



