Santa Clara Valley Canary & Exotic Bird Club
August 10, 1980

POTLUCK - 1:00 P.M.
MEETING - 1:45 P.M.

PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN TABLE SERVICE

A - G DESSERT
H - P HOT DISH
Q - Z SALAD

Most of us are interested in new ways of doing things, in trying new ideas; we look forward to new experiences. But there are some who find it difficult to release old ways, to let go the past. In releasing old ways, in letting go the past, we do not lose the good we have gained. We are able to free our mind and to move forward. In so doing, new doors open, new and greater good comes into focus.
Wm. A. Ward

Let me be the first to express in writing the deep appreciation we all feel toward Jim Macko for the great picnic he gave us in July. Of course he didn't do it all himself - your executive Board united to "put it over". It was just great, and WOW!!!! - can that man cook steaks??? Thank you so much.

If you are planning to put an ad in the 1980 Show Catalogue, be sure to contact Ruth Mitchell. In fact, it was suggested that each member of the club be responsible for at least one ad - so, bring your ad (or a copy) and your check to Ralph (our treasurer) at the August meeting.

If you are interested in purchasing NEW SHOW CAGES see Howard. Glenn has ordered 100 - in black - including perches and cups - plus trays - $9.00 each.

The Western Bird Breeders Association are having a PET FARE October 11 and 12. It is to be held at the San Francisco Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. If you have any questions, ask Lona or any members of that club. Should be a good show.

The next Executive Board Meeting at Rowland and Mae Skirrows' - August 29. The September Meeting at Billl and Mel's - September 26.


For sale: Perl Cockatiels - tame - ask for Jan or Helen DeGue
For sale: Normal Cockatiels split for white - Bill Cooper
For sale: Show Cages, or trade for birds. Want a male Red Rump - Mary Volpe


BIRD DONORS FOR AUGUST MEETING: Jim Mocko, Jenny Henry, Elva Lillroth.

Just a reminder that there is still time for you to sign up for the AFA Convention being held in Las Vegas August 10 through the 24th. If you phone right away, I may be able to get you on the flight that the others will be on. We have eleven (11) from our club going! C.A.L.

Rowland would like all Show-Chairmen to give him the names of their committee members. Remember - as Chairmen - you may choose anyone you please to serve on your committee. This is a fine opportunity for new members to become active and better acquainted with our club show procedure.

The Pet Health and Ecological Studies Foundation extends an invitation to all organizations to attend the 1st Annual American Pet Show to be held on July 10th and 11th, 1981, at the Anaheim Convention in Anaheim, California. This is a combination trade and consumer show for the pet industry involving everyone from the manufacturers of products to the hobbiest's pet. All profits will go toward animal research which includes all birds. Clubs will be provided with free space and tables and chairs. There will be raffle sales for free trips and appliances with the clubs getting to keep a percentage of the tickets they sell. Seminars are scheduled to run through the entire two days. There will be an expansive advertising program - newspapers, radio, and T.V. to promote tthis show. This is a tremendous opportunity for an organization to participate in an event which places your club and birds in the limelight. This is to be quite a project, our club would do well to consider it seriously, if you want more information, contact Ruth Mitchell.

Here is one more ad which came in late:
Jack Tom has two (2) Medium sized Flight Cages for sale.

And now comes the difficult part in writing a newsletter:

John Boswell is home from the hospital and doing well. The hardest part for him was to come home and find that someone had stolen 19 of his pet White-eyes.

The Dolphin Pet Shop in Campbell was also robbed - including a Hyacinth Macaw?

SO APPARENTLY THE THIEVES ARE STILL AROUND - SO LOCK YOUR AVIARIES!!!!!

Mrs. H.G. Smith (Ruth) - (he was always known as Smitty) - passed away recently at her home in Santa Clara. They were old-time members of the club.

Ed Schmalz had a very serious heart attack about two weeks ago. He has had many complications since being in the hospital. I'm sure he would enjoy hearing from any of you. He is in the Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara.

Phil Du Bois is not able to work anymore and is with Ruby in Tennessee. We all remember his total dedication to our club when he lived up here, and we certainly wish him well. I'm sure that he, too, would like to hear from you. You can probably reach him through Ruby's address.

Virginia Cureton is having a serious bout with infection, even had to be brought back to the hospital on the first day of her vacation. She has been in the intensive care unit of the University of California Hospital in San Francisco for the past week, and her husband expects that she will probably be there for at least two more weeks. I know that she likes to hear from her friends.

Vivian Gamma passed away August 1st. At this writing I have no information about the funeral. However, I do know that Dan needs all our kind thoughts and love during these trying days.

Vivian - we will miss you. I'm sure the Good Lord had a special need for you or He would not have taken you so soon. Dear God - please let her help with the older ones up there and with the wee children. She has such an abundance of love to share. And let her have some canaries - too - she really knows how to care for them. Good-bye - Viv - we shall meet again - someday.

This has been very hard to write
Charlotte


How about some questions and answers?

Question: Do canaries ever commit suicide? Ours almost did. The first time we let him out of his cage he flew right into a cactus and stabbed himself. He was a bloody mess for a while but he made it just the same. We've never tried to let him out since. Do birds do this sort of thing often?

Answer: Not the same bird... in fact, it's rare for birds to impale themselves on anything. It's possible tho, when they're excited. Suicide seldom, or never, is a factor in these pathetic performances.

Question: We have a new baby parakeet. He's so cute and smart we want to take good care of him. We can't let him out because we have two cats who are always hungry. How big should little Benny's cage be?

Answer: The bigger Benny's cage is the better. There's no such thing as too big! He should have enough room not only to stretch his wings, but, actually to use them. A flight cage, then is better than a regular cage, tho he'd enjoy an aviary even more.

Question: This is the second year I've been trying to breed some small finches. Can you recommend a good seed mixture for these birds?

Answer: Here is one suggestion: one part niger seed, one part oat groats, two parts panicum millet, four parts white canary seeds, and nine parts Australian millet. Finches fare best, particularly during breeding season, if a variety of insects are available as well.

Question: What do you recommnend for stopping bleeding of nails or feathers?

Answer: When trimming nails, have Monzell's powder (ferrie subsulfate) or solution handy. It can be obtained from your local pharmacist without prescription. Household cures that you can use are styptic pencils, cornstarch, or flour. When it comes to bleeding feather stumps, there are invariably new feathers coming in. The only method suggested to stop them from bleeding is to pull them by using tweezers, getting a firm hold on the quill base and pulling directly out.

Question: Is there such a thing as a simple sugar and water humming bird formula? Also, how do you keep the feeder from getting all mouldy?

Answer: You're doing hummers no favor by feeding them if, in the process, they're getting mouldy solution! It's essential to their health to prevent this mould. Buy only humming bird feeders which can be taken apart and thoroughly cleaned, using a detergent, then thoroughly rinsed. Complete rinsing is obviously a must. A simple hummingbird formula is: One cup sugar, four and a half cups of water, bring to a boil for twenty minutes. This formula should be changed and the cleaning process repeated every three days. Extra syrup can be stored for a couple of weeks in the refrigerator.

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