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Correspondence



would be allowed to advertise in the Magazine, and a list of Certificate holders

could be published in each number. This would, I think, be of mutual benefit

both to members and dealers. Should this be done, and should members

loyally support those dealers (always provided that the latter do not use the

granting of a Certificate to charge exorbitant prices), it is at least possible

that the other dealers would have to fall into line and improve their methods

of importation. But what I am convinced is of far greater importance,

the Society would have taken some action to attempt to improve the standards

of the bird trade, of its own free will. Whatever the outcome, it would be

a worthy attempt and one which would do much to raise the Society’s prestige

and importance.


I am certain that some scheme on the lines suggested above would be

perfectly feasible. Now that the whole question of the importation of birds

has been raised, I sincerely hope that the matter will not be shelved by the

responsible anthorities, for it is a question that must be raised sooner or

later and which will become increasingly difficult as time goes on.


As for Mrs. Jackson’s letters, I think the less said the better.


I am sure that every thoughtful person will agree that Mr. Webb deserves

not to be condemned for a breach of good taste, but rather to be congratulated

for his courage in broaching a very thorny question, but one which must

always be of supreme importance to the whole practice of Aviculture.


Alastair Morrison.



HUMANE AVICULTURE


I am thoroughly in sympathy with Mr. Webb’s article. The pity of it

is that it did not appear long ago. I welcome a league on the lines which

Preb. Sweetnam suggests. No aviculturist who is worthy of the name would

object to paying a reasonable price (I mean an increased price) for birds,

if they were caught and imported by real naturalists and bird lovers, preferably

private individuals. There is also, I know, a wide field open to someone of

this sort who will open a shop on the best lines and supply healthy birds,

kept under ideal conditions, but at reasonable prices. I mean prices which,

while naturally in advance in some cases of those charged under the old

conditions, are yet not absurdly prohibitive as is so often the case with regard

to “ Bird Farms ” and semi-private individuals at present. Quite recently

I was offered at a bird shop in town (of this sort) a pair of Redbill Weavers

at 155. 6 d .—nearly twice their value, even for healthy and acclimatized birds.

I was also offered a Parrakeet nest-box for 25s. (A carpenter examined it

and assured me that he could have put it together in a day, for about 5s.)


However, all this by the way. It will have to come in in connection with

reorganized Aviculture. I suggest that we band together and choose our own

representatives who shall, as far as possible, do the catching and importing,

selling chiefly to private individuals and only to reputable dealers. ( I know

one or two such as He Von, who really seem to love and understand their

birds.) Also that we boycott and report to the R.S.P.C.A. any dealer or

other person who transgresses against the humane principles which should

be common to all Aviculturists.


Just one word re two of the letters in your last issue. “ Ornithologist ”

js rather beside the point. We, while being most of us reasonably interested



