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

PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN TABLESERVICE

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

Before I get into the news etc. Nickie and I want to express our gratitude for the donation the club gave to us toward our expenses for the trip to the annual American Federation of Aviculture Convention in Hollywood, Florida. you may be interested in the fact that our club had eight (8) member in attendance. Yes - we were very proud! You will be hearing brief reports from all of them as the time goes on. But for now - thank you - from both of us.

And while speaking about "us" - Joe Gordon is finally back from quite a trip to Mexico. Chuck Arella is back from a frustrating trip to South America; Lona and Ed will be happy to tell you about their trip to Banff, Canada; and any of us who went to the convention will be glad to talk!

The donations for the bird raffle this month are - Jim Mocko, The Hansels, and Joe Teixeiro.

There is a correction in the money made from the sale of fireworks in July - instead of $200, - that total should read $250. That sure is great!

Did you notice how much nicer it was to listen to everything at the last meeting? That's because Leonard has acquired a public-address system which he has agreed to let us use at all our meetings. Thank you so very much - Leonard - I'm sure all of us will be telling you from time to time how we appreciate your thought.

For those of you who remember Kurt Dahl - a most active member until he moved to Oregon three years ago - his wife passed away about three weeks ago. In case any of you want his address, I have it. I think it would be kind for those of you who remember hiim to let him hear from you.

The next Executive Board meeting will be held at the home of Bill Cooper in Brisbane, on Septmber 28 at 8:00 P.M.

A.F.A. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

1. Organization
for emergency operations, a special emergency operations staff has been set up. Contact your representative for more information.

2. Operation
Up-flow of high priority information (such as an avian disease outbreak, a threat of arbitrary seizure of birds, a quarantine of premises, or any violation of civil rights of a member) should be reported by ANY member who has knowledge of the situation directly to his State Coordinator.

Down-flow of high priority information to the membership at large can best be expedited by oral (telephonic) communication through organizational channels. All state coordinators will receive a copy of an Emergency Operations Manual.

If there had been such a plan as this four years ago when that horrible epidemic of Newcastle Disease devastated so many aviaries there probably would not have been so much rampant bird slaughter!

REMEMBER we must all work together to save all birds. This plan will help.

I hope all of you are remembering our FLEA-MART FOR BIRDS to be held Oct. 14th. Members only may sell, $2.50 per table - EVERYONE SHOULD COME!

A WARNING ABOUT ROOF RATS
The last bastion of security from the spreading population of "roof rats" has been lost, according to local health officials. Roof rats are not uncommon to this area. In the past decade, they have worked their way down from San Francisco to all areas of the Peninsula and are found in increasing numbers in San Jose. Luckily for us roof rats are more of a "public nuisance" than a public health threat. The animals bear a resemblance to squittels and fears they may carry the germs of a new plague have not been borne out since they began appearing here. The most recent sightings have been in Redwood City. In fact one of the residents there said he and a neighbor recently saw about 20 roof rats "romping around in the street" one evening. This was right after he had seen one crawling on his patio and his neighbor found one in a shed. He stated that it "just sat there and stared him in the eye!" In recent month roof rats have been sighted in areas of Cupertino and Sunnyvale, apparently seeking any areas - open as well as wooded.

What can a person do?????

From San Mateo County Officer in charge of Rodent Control there is not too much help available. They have distributed food blocks laced with the poison diphacinone to local fire stations which are available to the public for the asking. They can be placed in areas whre the rats are known to feed - anywhere with snails, berries, plants, nuts, pet food and garbage.

He points out, though, that the best one can expect from the poison is a 90% "kill rate" because the mother rats and their young do not venture out for food! About the best suggestion I have is to keep heavy shrubbery away from your aviaries.

Jim Machado has White Cockatiel Males he wants to exchange for White Cockatiel Females.

Bill Cooper has for sale: Pair of White Hooded Nuns - $50.
Nandae Conure - $50. - Cherry-head Conure male - $100.
Maroon-bellied Conures - $50. each or three (3) for $125.
Finches: Cordon Blues, Blue Caps, Angolians - $25. each or 5 for $100.

Lona says that if anyone is interested in personalized business cards - phone her.

AND NOW ABOUT THE FEATHER SHOW - SEPTEMBER 22 (8:00 TO 5:30) and SEPTEMBER 23 (12:00 noon to 3:00 P.M.

BE SURE TO READ INSTRUCTION SHEET FOR SHOWING BIRDS

(Thanks to Jan and John Gillio for all their help in preparing this.)

Members are asked to bring their birds between 8:00 and 10:00 Saturday morning to the South entrance of the Mayfield Mall. The door will be open - and this will be the only entrance open this early. After bringing your birds in - then park your car in any one of the many parking lots as you cannot leave it where you "unload" your birds. (There is not a time limit in any of the parking lots so you won't have to worry about moving your car during the day.)

Judging will begin prompty at 10:30. Judges are: Frank Davis - Chuck Arella - Glenn Mitchell
Classifiers are: Pearl Davis, Joe Teixeiro, Ralph Barnes

Bring as many birds as you want. Our president urges all to enter as many baby birds as possible. we have many trophies to award; first in division; and ribbons for the other winners. The awards presentation will be at 12:30 Sunday.

There will be two guards on duty all day and all night. Besides the guards, the gates will be closed and locked at 6:00 P.M. Saturday and not opened until noon on Sunday.

You may take your birds home anytime after 3:00 on Sunday. BUT - be sure to check out with the secretary.

GOOD LUCK - MAY YOU LEARN MUCH - AND BE PROUD!

Please forgive all my typing errors
Charlotte

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS FOR SHOWING YOUR BIRDS

1. Make sure birds are clean, feathers smooth, good feather texture and toenails cut.
2. Have cages cleaned and painted (flat black paint).
3. Birds should be shwn in proper show cages.
4. Most Hookbills and larger birds may be shown in their own cages.
5. There is no set rule for showing Finches, Gloster and Red Factor cages, etc.
6. Finches with long tail plumage are shown in taller cages.
7. Get our birds acquainted with cage before show time.
8. Tags should be placed on back of cage (write name, address and staple closed). Exceptions are larger cages, Norwich, Gloster and Lizard, place tag on left front of cage.
9. Water containers should be placed on front of cage.
10. Cover botom of cage with plenty of seed to feed your bird.
11. Get your birds to the show in plenty of time for Show Secretary to check them in. Numbers to cover all your entries will be issued to you (save numbers). At the end of the show you will be checked out.
12. Getting to the show on time helps the classifier get your birds in proper category.

Return to Newsletter Index