266 The International Committee for Bird Preservation


The International Committee consists of genuine bird-lovers who

are not opposed to sport or aviculture. Monsieur Delacour, who we all

know as one of the leading ornithologists and aviculturists of the

world, is the President of the whole Committee, while on the British

Section of it we have Mr. Alfred Ezra, and many aviculturists are either

Patrons or Associates.


The British Section has already done valuable work in drafting and

getting passed into law a bill prohibiting the importation of live

European Quail into Great Britain during the breeding season. It is

common knowledge that this species was becoming far scarcer than

formerly, owing to the wholesale netting that was going on, in order

to supply the demands of restaurants and hotels. Another of their

objects is to secure the adequate preservation of Waterfowl, both in

the British Isles and throughout Europe, before it is too late.


Still another matter which the Committee have in hand, is the

better treatment of live birds during transit to Europe from Africa and

the East. We all know the overcrowded and insanitary condition in

which foreign birds are sometimes received by European dealers, and

the International Committee would like to see such importations

inspected before dispatch to insure that the cages are suitable and the

numbers in each cage limited to avoid overcrowding, and that proper

attention is given on the voyage. This is a matter that has been

exercising the minds of many people for some time past, and unless

tackled by a reasonable body like the International Committee may

lead to stringent laws which will affect aviculture generally.


These are a few of the matters that are being taken up by the

International Committee, and I feel strongly that in the interests of

aviculture, if for no other reason, it is the duty of the Avicultural

Society to do all it can to support the British Section of this organization.

With this number of the Magazine is enclosed a leaflet, setting forth

the aims and objects of the International Committee, and as Treasurer

of the British Section, I feel that I may apply with confidence to my

many friends of the Avicultural Society each and all to become either

Patrons or Associates.



