Ornamental Pheasant Society Notes 121


ORNAMENTAL PHEASANT SOCIETY NOTES


By Miss J. M. Grant-Ives


The election for the committee of the O.P.S. has resulted in the

following being elected : P. J. Lambert, 87 votes ; Gr. Beever, 80 votes ;

Captain Scott-Hopkins, 74 votes ; J. C. Bennett, 56 votes ; P. C.

Mackie, 55 votes ; Mrs. F. C. Burchett, 52 votes. Since the number of

votes was published in Cage Birds I have received several more cards,

which bring these members 5 numbers to a higher total. It is rather an

interesting fact that all these elected are also members of the Avicultural

Society. Nearly one hundred members availed themselves of the vote,

and this was quite satisfactory, for it will be realized that many new

members would hardly know by name any of the candidates and such

could not be expected to vote. I am sure that this new committee will

be a combination of enthusiastic Pheasant fanciers and people who will

be ready to work hard for the benefit of the common good of the O.P.S.


Many members are anxious that an exchange board be set up at

once; such an innovation will prove extremely profitable, and will be of

great assistance to members who are desirous of introducing fresh blood.

I am sure that it is not realized to the full that breeding from related

stock is most harmful ; Plumis ” in Cage Birds has repeatedly pointed

out the ill-effects of such procedure. Since mentioning the fact that an

exchange board may shortly be set up, I have been surprised at the

number of fanciers who have written me and asked whether I can

arrange for such exchanges. I have been able to effect many changes,

and this owing to the public spirit of one or two members. The ultimate

result of such an exchange board will be of enormous benefit to the

fancy in general. It will mean that members will no longer have to

breed from closely related parents, and surely if the O.P.S. never did

anything else this achievement would in itself justify its existence.


Members of your Society will bear in mind that many of our members

are unable, owing to lack of means, to buy any Pheasants they may wish

for to strengthen their strain, so what a boon this board will be.


In my last notes I mentioned that it was suggested at the general

meeting that a booklet should be issued from time to time. This

matter was temporarily shelved but it has been brought down from the



