202 C. S. Webb—The Parrot Ban and the Future of Aviculture


aviculturists in England will find it difficult to obtain the varieties

of foreign birds they once knew and liked so well. There is increasing

agitation in this country for the introduction of legislation to prevent

the keeping of any foreign birds in captivity, and so it is quite time

that members of the Avicultural Society did something to safeguard

themselves before it is too late. It is a pity that the Avicultural Society

is not on the same footing as well-known zoological institutions, for

then the procuring of birds for its members from countries which have

protective laws would not be so difficult, but before this can happen

there will have to be many changes. At present very few people other

than members have ever heard of the Avicultural Society, and few

people (including some Government officials) even know the meaning

of it, and so perhaps for this reason the title might be altered with

advantage. It is also doubtful if many people know what the objects

of the Society really are. This being the case, how can the Society

claim exemption from any laws which apply to the general public ?

There are many influential individuals and societies interested in the

suppression of cruelty to birds in captivity. To most aviculturists these

people are popularly known as “ cranks ”. As things are at present

there is undoubtedly a great amount of cruelty involved in many cases

in the importation of birds, and it is difficult to see how the Avicultural

Society can reply effectively to the criticisms of the so-called “ cranks

From a humane point of view there is much to be said in their favour

and it seems to me that our Society might make it generally known

that it is doing its utmost to do away with the keeping of birds under

improper conditions and, in fact, join forces with any other society

which has this object in view, instead of merely calling them nasty

names. The Avicultural Society might then become respected by all

parties and its members enjoy certain privileges. It is, of course, very

difficult to get all our members to see eye to eye, as their interests are

so varied, and many people are only concerned with their own particular

point of view, even if it happens to be detrimental to the interests of

members in general.


Some, although being fond of keeping birds, are extremely callous

and are not at all sensitive to birds’ sufferings. Many will look over a

consignment of birds which has been imported on the “ mass



