Pot-luck: 1:00 P.M.
Meeting: 1:45 P.M.

PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN TABLESERVICE

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

Our May meeting is being changed from the second Sunday in May to the FIRST Sunday, because of Mother's Day. Please mark this change on your Calendar!

And while we are still speaking of dates - let me inform you that our Feather Show will be held September 22 and 23, and our bird Mart, Oct. 14.

Howard still has some openings for volunteers for our Big Show. Please see him after the meeting.

Lona Schmalz has offered to coordinate the banquet preparations, working with the caterer - Jeff Gordon.

The next Executive Board Meeting will be held at the home of Carolyn and Howard Hansel in Los Altos - May 25.

Prices for Ads in the Catalogue have finally been set:
Full page - $25
Half page - $15
Quarter page - $8.50
They are being accepted now, contact Ruth Mitchell.

ANOTHER WARNING: Reports are out that there are great numbers of ROOF RATS this year! Be sure to use ½ inch chicken wire or aviary cloth to keep them out.

Also - about orphaned baby wild birds - don't try to raise one, but if you do find one try to keep it alive until it can be delivered to an experienced volunteer. There is no substitute for experienced care. Get help quickly.

According to Glenn and his informative speech on PSITTACOSIS: Preventive measures to guard against this disease -
Keep dust down
Keep cages, walls, floors very clean
This disease is cyclical and takes 45 days to heal - but it can be done!

For Sale: Silver Song of San Jose
Complete Line of Silver Song Super Diet
1523 Mt. Diable Ave.
Milpitas, Calif., 95035
(408) 263-0773
Mineralite Grit

CAGE FRONTS
Simon Hernandez
Makes Cage - fronts
Phone for price, size, etc.
(408) 926-2559

TEMPORARY CURBS ON IMPORTATION

According to the Wall Street Journal and the San Francisco Chronicle the U.S. Department of Agriculture has temporarily halted most importations of exotic birds. This is to protect the nation's poultry from Newcastle Disease (VVND). The incidence of the disease has been rising all over the world recently - apparently a type much more virulent than the domestic variety which the poultry growers can vaccinate against. The department's decision affects privately operated quarantine centers only. It does not affect the import centers operated by U.S.D.A. This announcement came out March 29, 1979.

Carol Meaney, Vice President of Wildlife Rescue Association presented a most interesting report on her group's activities. Among the multitude of services rendered by the volunteers:

caring for baby birds till old enough to fly
returning healed birds to natural habitat
sobering-up drunk robins (from Pyracanthus berries)
setting (or trying to) broken bones
rescuing animals (small)
even curing a snake whose skin was torn

All of this work is done by volunteers at their own expense. Volunteers are needed for many phases of this service such as office work, caring for animals or birds, picking up sick animals when situation is phoned in. (One family membership of $10.00 will pay for ½ month of intravenous feeding of one bird.)

Besides these services the Wildlife Rescue presents many classes on "Care of Wildlife." The instructor has taught all over the country. Members and teachers are anxious to explain the program to groups, classes, clubs, meetings, etc.

Classes in Wildlife Care will be given:
at Los Altos High School
May 9 - Care for Baby Birds
May 16 - Raising Baby Mammals

at Mt. View Recreation Centre on Rengsdorf - Saturday programs
April 29 - 9 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.
June 9 - 9 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.

Cost - 1 Adult - $12.50, 1 Child & 1 Adult - $15.00, Family $17.50
Includes 1 year of Newsletter, 1 year membership in group.

THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF AVICULTURE

The American Federation of Aviculture (AFA) - a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of bird wildlife through encouragement of captive breeding programs, scientific research, and education of the general public.

This is quite a code to acknowledge; - did you know that thru your membership in our club you are automatically an affiliate member of the AFA? Perhaps there has been a lack of communication thus far - let me just mention a few of the many advantages you will receive with your individual membership. (It will cost you only $12.50 per year.)

First I must mention the WATCHBIRD - the bi-monthly magazine which has been acclaimed as not only the "best avicultural magazine in this country, but to be without equal in all of Europe." Its purpose is to disseminate information and protect aviculture interests - not to make money. (Incidentally II always have one or two copies with me at our meetings, so if you have not become acquainted with this magazine, look at one next time.)

It was the AFA, practically alone, who fought against the arbitrary destruction of cage and aviary birds in the recent VVND outbreak. The AFA took the government to Federal Court (cost us $40,000) but succeeded in getting a change in policy. The proposal of a ban on importation of psittacines has been averted - and they may still be imported through the proper U.U. controlled quarantine facilities. The AFA is actively concerned with regulations such as the Injurious Wildlife Proposal (The Lacy Act) and the Endangered Species Act. AFA takes a policy stand on all issues confronting aviculture, national or local.

AFA is your best insurance for protecting a healthy and unrestricted captive bird population. It is also first in line in educating the general public about birds.

New members to add to your roster:
Glen Cureton
Jean Morgan
Charles Andre
Karen Reyes
Khoi Dang Nguyen
Dave Bolster
Jenny Henry
Irene Petripoali

This has been a long one
Your editor
Charlotte A. Le Doux

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