Correspondence



313



beauties and glories of nature. Few will accept the statement that fanciers

are ignorant and careless of all knowledge concerning the natural conditions

of their birds. My own experience is that bird lovers are eager to learn, all

that they can about birds in their natural habitat as well as in conditions of

captivity. The scientific knowledge of many is profound. One has but to

look at the demand for literature, such as books new and old, or to examine

the weekly journals, to find proof of that.


But Mr. Webb’s chief criticism is of the methods of importing birds in

vast numbers, by inexpert and unskilled attendants, involving cruelty and

needless loss of life. Whilst everyone must agree with any suggestion for

improving these conditions, Ido believe that they are fast disappearing under

the insistent demand of purchasers for birds in the best possible condition.

After a tour of London dealers lately, I could not but remark upon the excellent

appearance of the majority of birds exposed for sale, nor upon the varieties

on offer which only a few years ago were considered rarities and difficult birds

to keep. Yet these birds are on sale to-day in almost perfect feather and

condition. Dealers know that it is of little use offering anything but birds in

first class order, and what is it but those very shows that Mr. Webb so uncom¬

promisingly condemns that are responsible !


We all realize that the tendency in this country and abroad is to increase

restrictions on dealings in birds ; not, let me disagree again with Mr. Webb,

upon the keeping of birds, but upon the trade in them—a very different

matter. We shall find it increasingly difficult to obtain birds as years go on.

It should be the duty of societies such as ours to heed the warning and be

prepared. Let us not condemn ourselves, but rather take active steps to improve

all conditions that remain open to criticism.


Let us not attack the bird lover, but concentrate on the bird dealer who

regards birds merely as a commodity, and who is not himself a bird lover.

Such do exist, despite the shining example of the many whose life interest

is the birds they handle. Why should not such a society as ours exercise some

supervision over traders ? Let there be a list of approved dealers and, if

need be, a black list of unsatisfactory ones. Membership of most societies

carries with it obligations. Why should not membership of the Avicultural

Society involve the obligation of purchasing under only approved conditions ?

There might be a system of voluntary registration by dealers, premises and

methods of importation being under the inspection of the Society’s accredited

representatives.


If this system should fail, then it is but a step to supervise importations

on our own behalf, or to specify conditions which alone will meet with our

approval. In this connection it strikes me that Mr. Webb is the very man

to tell us how to proceed.


In his plea for the alterations in the presentation of the Magazine

Mr. Webb will surely find a large following. We should all like to see it enlarged

and on sale to the general public through the usual booksellers. The more

people who can be interested in the hobby the better for the future of aviculture.

Presentation of a magazine on such lines should not be difficult, but would

demand such an enormous increase in production costs that it is extremely

doubtful if the increased sales would render the venture self-supporting.


Increased encouragement must be given for the breeding of birds in

captivity, rather than for the collection of new and rare specimens. Local

societies, show secretaries, and national societies are those who can be asked



