NOTICE Died in All correspondence /¥U»n quarantine 92,768(12.1% oftive intended for the editor arrivals) ofthe Watchbird Refused entry should be mailed directly [J}lt(J to his address. (Newcastles) 9,303 (1.15%) Sheldon Dingle Released from P.O. 80.340 quarantine 614,782 (76%) Norco. CA 91760 gdilmJ 9J)erik As you well know written papers by Sheldon Dingle often are submitted for publication Norco, California many months before oral presentation of the same material at the meeting. At the time that this data was compiled I Dear Sheldon: credible increase in our knowledge of had not closely examined these figures I found the thesis in the article, The toucans and evolutionary adaptation but merely reported them as above. I Long Bill of the Toucan, by Roger has occured in the ensuing fifty-plus then set out to examine mortality Williams and Elaine Radford, which ap­ years. records for 9 quarantine stations with pearedinthe FeblMar '85 Watchbirdin­ Finally, the authors state that the which I worked closely during 1983. I teresting but not very plausible, when toucan's bill is " ...alight porous struc­ was disturbed by what appears to be a they suggested the large bills evolvedas ture rich in blood vessels, internally 24% mortality. However, it is obvious cooling devices. similar to other softbills," suggesting upon scrutiny that these numbers are Although several theories have been this structure serves as a heat ex­ highly inaccurate as demonstrated proposed to explain the evolution of changer. I wouldagree the bills are light below. disproportionally large bills of Ram­ and porous, but they are not rich in Dead on arrival 40,054 phastids, cooling is one that has eluded blood vessels once the bird is mature Died in my scrutiny ofthe literature until now. and the beak has stopped growing. A quarantine 92,768 Refused entry If, as Williams and Radford state, there broken beak on a mature bird does not + ---'9::..>.,=..:30""3'-- _ Reported dead is a corrollary between large beak size bleed. or refused 142,126 (17.6%) and hot environment, why is it that the Current consensus holds that beak Received 803,873 largest beaked birds of the genus Ram­ length and color has something to do Released - 614,782(76%) phastos may be found at the same low withdisplay during courtship, although Dead or elevations and latitudes as the smallest the size does serve other non-cooling unaccounted for 189,091 beaked birds of the genus Selenidera. functions mentioned by the authors. Dead or Williams and Radford make the Cooling is an interesting idea, but not unaccounted for 189,091 one supported in the literature. Reported dead assumption that the shorter billed orrefused - 142,125 toucanets inhabit themountains, which Sincerely yours, JerryJennings ~ Unaccounted for 46,966 (5.8% of is true onlyofthegreentoucanets ofthe received) genus Aulacorhynchus and these rarely Dear Sheldon, This discrepancy was brought out in exceed 6,000' elevation - a not very r I was quite interested to read the re­ great detail in my oral presentation. cool environment in the tropics. The cent article (Dec. 84 - Jan. 85) in the However, it was not explained in the Selenidera toucanets, whose beaks are Vet's Comerentitled''The Veterinarian written paper. I was, of course, very the very smallest (half the length ofthe and the Import and Sales of Pet Birds" curious as to the fate of the almost green toucanets), live inlowlandforests byDrs. RosskopfandWoerpel. Thearti­ 47,000 missing birds and made an in­ alongside Red Bills, Keel Bills, etc. Keel cle was factual inmost respects, as far as quiry to the USDA. I was told that those Bills, incidently, have been recorded as I can determine since a paper that I figures are inaccurate as they are col­ high as 5,000' elevation. recentlypresented at the Association of lected on the last day ofthe fiscal year, The authors cite Van 1)rne's "TheLife Avian Veterinarians convention in and not limited to stations already History ofthe Toucan" to argue against Toronto was the only mentioned released. All birds in quarantine on that (who's arguing in favor?) the proposi­ reference. There was however, one day are counted as received but never tion that bills evolved as protective col­ statement that was referenced to my counted as released. Therefore on Oc­ oration, a theory that appeared in 1909 paper which it did not contain. On tober 31, 1983 wecanassume thatthere and 1910. Van Tyne did not rule it out page 12 it is stated that "an average of were 47,000 birds in quarantine and completely, but stated it was only of 24% deaths are to be expected in the that since they are not released in time slight importance, thus putting it to quarantine stations." This statement for development of the annual report, rest. was not contained in my paper and is they are missing and presumed dead. He also mentioned other theories, not true. Ifit were, importers definitely We were muchluckier in 1982, weonly popularinhis day(repeatedbyWilliams could not sustain such losses and re­ had approximately 25,000 missing and and Radford), and went on to suggest main in business. presumed dead. I was assured that the there may not be any adaptive I will demonstrate how this error USDA is aware ofthis problem and will significance to the great size of these could easily be made, and often is. The make attempts to correct it for fiscal beaks. following statistics were reportedinmy year 1984. Van Tyne's Life History, quoted by paper. These were obtained directly If you examine the percentage of theauthors, was basedonpersonalfield from the USDA as official figures for reporteddead it comes to a muchlower studies conducted over three seasons fiscal year 1983. percentage of 17.6% mortality. This from 1925-27 and published as his doc­ Received into figure however still lacks some toral dissertation by the University of quarantine 803,873 credibility in my mind. I am staff Michigan in 1929. Needless tosay, anin- Dead on Arrival 40,054 (4.9%) Veterinarian for a large importation Continued on page 46 44 .-. EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR OF TOPPER BIRD RANCH DIETS® (LOS ANGELES. ORANGE & VENTURA COUNTIES) The only total nut.rient seed diets available in the U.S. Small Hookbill • Large Hookbill • Canary Total Diet Finch • Budgie ***DISCOUNT BIRD.-. 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20833Yz Roscoe Ave.,- Canoga Park ~~f--I---- (Entrance on De Sato ... Ample Parking) U~~N I I -\'[

OPEN WEEK-ENDS ONLY • w _"OSCOE~~---' r-;:z~ ~ Friday - 12:00-6:00 p.m. VENTURAFlEWA' Sat. & Sun. - 8:00-5:00 p.m. (818) 340-6318 company and deal full-time with im­ fruits, cake mixes, etc., and the old Seymour's wife clearly states that ported birds. A close review of our mystery was solved. Bromine com­ their objective in forming B.I.R.D.S. quarantine stations for 1981-1983 pounds have been used (for decades) to is to prevent other people from hav­ revealed a mortality rate of approx­ "keep down the bugs" in grains and ing to experience grief at "the loss of imately 5 % for psittacines. In some other foods. The problem with EDB is a beautiful creature:' If this is the areas suchas cockatoosfrom Indonesia, that it is one of the most powerful Seymours' objective, I fail to see how weroutinelyhavemortalityrates below cancer-causing mixes ever made. the New York legislation will ac­ 1%. Some birds such as Amazons are (Bromine alone is defined as "a cor­ complish it. What is to prevent the more difficult to manage and have rosive, toxic, nasty-smelling liquid domestically-raised parrot they are highermortalityrates. Mortality rates of which gives off irritating fumes.") now so happy with from contracting 10% are considered high, and unaccep­ Although the federal government has a disease and dying? Would the heart­ table, by our company. We will ob­ finally banned the use of EDB to break felt by them be less than it was viously have stations from time to time fumigate grain for HUMANS, it cannot for the wild-caught bird? What in which we have serious problems and yet legally enforce levels of this makes the Seymours think that a the mortality rates will be high but that chemical as found in foods. Now, domestically-raised bird cannot die? is the exception, not the rule. The besides humans, who do we know that The New York legislation will not highest mortality rates are suffered in consumes huge amounts ofgrains? Our accomplish the Seymours' stated pur­ stations containing finches. Most of BIRDS, of course, depend largely upon pose for the law. Instead, it will take these are from Africa and due to their grains for their food, and I'll bet that away a little more freedom from the low resale value they are imported in NOBODY is testing bird seeds for EDB people and impose on bird breeders a very large lots. The trip from Africa is (or for any other "bromidic" new bureaucracy which will long, resulting in high mortality. It is chemicals). diminish some of the enjoyment New easy to see how a quarantine station Does anyone know if bird seed is York bird breeders now experience containing 10,000 finches with a mor­ fumigated,and if so, with what? (I am with their birds. The unhappiness tality rate of20% to 30% would quick­ now looking very suspiciously at my bird breeders will experience under ly offset the 1% mortality in a load of lovely, clean, bug-free bird seed!) New York's regulation will be just as 500 cockatoos. Sincerely, real as the unhappiness experienced I feel that statements such as "expect Linda Sun, Riverside, CA by the Seymours at the death of their 24% mortality" should be used with parrot. There are many more caution by anyone involved in the bird Readers who have answers to Sun's breeders in New York than families fancy. This is fuel for the fire ofhumane questions may respond via a letter in with dead pet birds. The greater groups who would like to use such this desultory column oryou may ad­ social good is repeal of the New York statements to our detrement (as was dress your comments directly to her, legislation. The law is burdensome amply illustrated in New York). I do not care ofthe editor. and will not accomplish the wish to hide problems in the system. I My own trueansweris easy. Over the Seymours' objective. do howeverfeel that accurate represen­ years I've had many birds posted and The things I have stated are fairly tationofthoseproblemsis vital tolearn­ nary a one had cancer. Several of obvious. Even the Seymours must ing how these problems can be dealt them, on the otherhand, hadbugs. And already know these things. I wonder with. Please remember that we are try­ bromine as "a corrosive, toxic, nasty­ if their real objective is to see bird ing to provide the customer with a smelling liquid which gives off ir­ breeders regulated in the United healthy bird at the lowest possible ritatingfumes" sounds precisely like States. Certainly the New York price. While the purpose ofmy presen­ the Irish whiskey manypeople I know legislation is having that direct result. tation in Toronto was to dispell inac­ use aspreventative medicine. Or perhaps they incorrectly believe curacies spread due to misinformation, that a ban on the sale of wild-caught I have learned that you can never be too birds will somehow restore en­ careful in what you say, or write. Dear Sheldon: ~ dangered species or keep other Sincerely, Susan L. Clubb, DVM I am very disturbed by the New species from becoming endangered. York legislation banning the sale of For them to believe this they must ig­ wild-caught birds and am quite con­ nore the facts that endangered or Dear Sheldon, ~ cerned that such legislation might threatened species are not a part of I'm delighted that your editorial col­ spread to other states or be adopted the pet trade and that habitat loss is umnhas returned, because I have a wor­ by the federal government. The the chief threat to dwindling popula­ risome question, and hope our AFA A.F.A. has historically been opposed tions of species. How does the New members know the answer. to the licensing and regulating ofbird York law solve this problem? Thirty years ago, the nutritionists breeders by the government, laws re­ I keep being led back to the ques­ began telling us about the dangers of quiring the mandatory banding of tion: "What is their true motive?" products made from white flour. in ad­ birds, and, in general, restrictions on The Seymours have heard all of the dition to the vitamin and protein defi­ the purchase and sale of birds. Now, arguments that A.F.A. can utter. I ciencies, they also objected because the in a one sentence bill, New York bird must conclude that they are either flour was "brominated". I knew breeders must suffer all of these unwilling or unable to recognize the nothingabout theelementbromine, ex­ things. truth when it is presented to them or cept thatit was inwhitewheatflour and It has been greatly publicized that they have a motive for their actions somehow wasn't good. Whitney North Seymour, Jr. was which they are not disclosing. In Recently a bromine compound has largely responsible for the passage of either event, the Seymours and made the national news. EDB (ethylene the New York legislation. In a letter B.I.R.D.S. are not our friends. It is dibromide) as been "discovered" in soliciting support for B.I.R.D.S., Mr. my hope that the New York legisla- 46 tion will be repealed and that no similar legislation will be passed anywhere in this country. Sincerely, Hal M. Koontz, Bakersfield, CA

Dear Sirs, Regarding the article in your February-March issue 1985, "The Long Bill of the Toucan;' by Roger Williams and Elaine Radford, it is very apparent that the authors had little experience with Toucans. As an avid Toucan enthusiast and collector, and having spent many hours observ­ ing these wonderful birds, I feel com­ pelled to take issue with their descriptions and theories concerning the beak of the Toucan. To ascribe to Our 1985 convention will be held in the beautiful Cathedral Hotel, San the beak a cooling function is to have Francisco (Van Ness Avenue and Geary Street), August 7th through 11th. a very poor understanding of Some of the most celebrated speakers in the world wi II bring us words of physiology and anatomy. There is wisdom on flora and fauna. Many new faces - first timers! very little blood supply in the beak to provide heat exchange. Moreoever, There will be tours of San Francisco, the city's zoo, bird tours, and a the beak is not a liability for the bird. special tourofthe wine country. We are working on a "special" to Hawaii, and Toucans use their beaks with efficien­ if you have time, take the 12 day Loveboat Cruise to Alaska! cy and with dispatch. It is a very This year the drawing will consist of an automobile, a home computer, a strong structure and I have seen my color TV., a pair of blue Indian ringnecks, a case of fine wine, a round trip for birds on occasion kill a wandering two to Australia via Qantas Airlines, twenty-five assorted pairs of birds and sparrow with a single thrust. Toucans many other prizes. do fight with their beaks, it is not un­ The next Watchbird will carry more detailed information and all A.FA common to see wounds in and members will soon receive a packet in the mail. In the meantime one can around the face, and Toucans in­ contact: Jim Coffman, convention chairman, 1575 Bayshore Highway, judiciously caged together will fight Burlingame, CA 94010. to the death. The beak comes into Make it a family vacation. San Francisco is a fantastic city of countless play greatly during mating time, the sites to see and things to do! Public attendance is invited and encouraged. bird pair affectionately jousting preparatory to mating. The authors may consider the beak "awkward­ looking:' Those of us who are Toucan fanciers have a different appreciation of this magnificant structure. Sincerely, Thomas M. Heric, M.D. Santa Monica, CA

Sirs: Oh, dear! Canadian addresses are such a pain to .S. publications! But I do hope you will set things straight. According to my by-line on page 26 of the Feb/Mar issue, you have me living in my Postal Code Vee zero enn, One double-u zero Sort of a tight squeeze. I really prefer living in Gillies Bay, even if you do say "Canada" instead of B.C. L. Lorraine Lyons Gillies Bay, British Columbia I can find my way around in Old English, Middle English, Old Irish, Latin, Spanish, Sanskrit, and Hebrew, but I can't seem to get a San Francisco's Chinatown has a photogenic front door. The gateway to the West's biggest gnp on Canadian. It's a hard nut to Chinese settlement is guarded by temple dogs and roofed with green, glazed tiles surmounted by crack, indeed. Sorry about the ocher dragons. Ornamental materials for the $75,000 structure, which frames Grant Avenue at mistranslation. Ed. • Bush Street, were made by Taiwan artisans and presented to the city by the Republic of China. 47