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



cause of laws prohibiting export being introduced into many countries,

partly because the authorities concerned are afraid of the local bird

life becoming unduly diminished or extinct, but mainly because of

complaints received from people who have witnessed the revolting

sight of hundreds of birds packed into small cages with numbers

dead and dying. Dealers who conduct their businesses on decent lines

can be encouraged and are more or less a necessity to aviculturists,

but the appearance of dealers’ advertisements in the Avicultural

Magazine does not help matters where collecting abroad is concerned.

As already noted, many countries now only allow birds to be exported

to Zoological Institutions (thanks to “ mass production ” importers),

and so I have tried to impress upon officials abroad that members of

the Avicultural Society are just as worthy of consideration as any

zoological institution, having better opportunities for breeding birds

and for giving them personal attention. To give them an insight into

our activities and interests I have shown them copies of our Magazine,

but they have been little impressed because of the sight of dealers’

advertisements, for, owing to the activities of the type of dealer

previously referred to, they are wholly against any birds going to the

trade, and are naturally not in sympathy with any society which

publishes their announcements.


It might be helpful if the Magazine were enlarged and brought up

to the standard of other publications, and some effort made to increase

its circulation, as this would do a lot to raise the Society out of its

present state of obscurity. To attain this object abroad it would

probably help if complimentary copies were sent to zoological societies,

museum authorities, game wardens, etc., especially in our own Colonies.

I would be happier if someone else had brought up this matter, which

is rather of a controversial nature, but is one which may affect the whole

future of the Avicultural Society. Being a collector myself it may appear

to some people that this has been written from a purely personal stand¬

point, but I think I have stated the facts. If readers will come forward

and make suggestions (rather than useless criticisms) which will be to the

ultimate benefit of the Society I shall be satisfied, even if in the mean¬

time I have made myself unpopular with those who have guilty



consciences.



