46 
Editorial. 
There must be no selfish clinging to present stock, so 
that any given aviculturist may be the longest to retain any 
given species in his aviaries! 
Persistent inbreeding can only end in the ultimate 
extinction of species in any given aviary, and, apparently, new 
l)]ood can only come by an organised system of exchange 
between aviculturists. 
How, then, can some j)ractical scheme be started at once, 
so that tlie utmost may be done with the present stock in 
English aviaries. 
It apjiears to us that, as a society, we cannot do little 
more than influence the members of our own society, and that 
procedure should ht somewhat on the following lines : 
(i) There must be no delay, and a commencement should be 
made at once, so as to profit therefrom during this 
(192 I) season. 
{2) There must be a sort of stocktaking, and members should 
send in a list of ALL SPECIES of Australian birds 
(pairs and odd birds) they possess ; and a register be 
made of same. 
(3) Some system of exchange should be framed, so that 
possessors of single breeding pairs may not only be 
able to have unrelated pairs to increase their own 
stock, but also similar ]iairs for sale. 
(4) Odd birds should not be wasted, but some arrangement 
made, whereby sales or loans may be effected- so that 
they may be effectively used for breeding purposes. 
(5) A committee of 5 or 6 members of the Council could easily 
be formed to have sole charge of the matter, and to 
be at the service of the memljers, both for advice and 
the carrying out of any scheme which may be framed. 
It appears to us that the matter brooks of no delay. andJ 
the first step apparently is the compilation of a register on 
Australian birds at present in the hands of our members. 
We shall be glad to have our members' views and sugges-j 
tions ui)on this matter. | 
If we are alive to our opportunity it appears to us that 
many species of parrakeets and grassfinches, at any rate, mav be 
perpetuated in our aviaries. 
Let the matfer slide, either from slackness, indifference 
