Book Review: The WJiPtRoost Jeri Wright ., (208) a38·9802 NCN/ HAND-FEEDING Hyacinths & othermacaws, Cockatoos Conures & Amazons Cranes: Their Biology, Domestic, Close-Banded Roudybush Distributor Husbandry and Conservation

by Dale R. Thompson, A real treat for your birds! Canyon Country, CA ,,"D-4+ Macadamia Nuts ~",!~~!.-;. Direct from California aving worked with cranes at some aspect of crane preservation. growers to you. ~ The book was edited by David H. Ellis, No salt. No ehemicals. the Los Angeles Zoo, visited No preservatives. F. ~ ~hell. Hthe Patuxent Wildlife Research George Gee and Claire M. Mirande. Raw. In All natural. Center in its early days (with long time There are 15 species ofcranes rang­ ...... $1.90 per lb. (U.S.$) plus sib IWe olsosell nut 50 lb. minimum. crackers so your t . . friend Glen Smart), observed the ing throughout most of the world. blfdscan snare SubJed to change Without notice.

Brolga Crane in the wilds of Hopefully, U.S. readers are familiar With you. Gold Crown I~~~I Queensland, Australia, I have long had with the Sandhill and Whooping Macad;unia Association OK an interest in the crane group of birds. Cranes-both found in the United P.O. Box 235. F;JlbJOok. C:\ 92088-0235 (800) 3-l~-~UTS Years ago, in the Australian section States. The Whooping Crane is the of the Los Angeles Zoo, I was directed rarest of all cranes while the Sandhill is to catch a Brolga Crane and was the most common. warned that it could be quite aggres­ Cranes is divided into three broad OUR 57 th BIRD MART sive. I entered the enclosure, carefully general sections; biology, crane hus­ EVERYBODY'S shielding my face, but upon approach­ bandry, and conservation. The biology ing the bird she simply ducked her section covers all known aspects of BIRD MART head down and speared a half-inch crane habits in the wild including March 16, 1997 section out of my shin. And I've had social behavior, breeding behavior, etc. some wild times catching escaped L.A. County Fairplex Bldg. #4 The husbandry section (by far the Pomona, California Wattled Cranes. There were also some largest) contains everything there is to more gentle moments such as the time 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. know about rearing cranes in captivity. Admission: $5.00 - Kids u'nder 12 free we reared from the egg several Sarus This section has chapters on diet, Cranes. The Bird Mart has become the reproduction, medicine, surgety, artifi­ marketplace for buyers and sellers. I have met Dr. George Archibald cial insemination to mention just a few. BIRDS. CAGES. FEEDERS. NESTBOXES VITAMINS. SEED. PERCHES. GIFT ITEMS and Dr. George Gee, two of the most The subjects are treated in great detail, learned, experienced scientists ever to PARKING $4.00 giving step by step instructions and Use White Ave. parking lot (Tram service from parking lot to building G) study cranes. Their dedicated, indeed, detailed charts and record sheets. passionate work with cranes bodes a division of The chapter on reintroduction tech­ J. Williams Financial Services Inc. well for this small family of birds. P.O. Box 794, Acton, CA 93510 So when Cranes: Their Biology, niques was my favorite. I learned, for instance, that even though cross-foster­ (80S) 269-0424 Husbandry and Conservation was The Original, The #1 Bird Mart published recently, I wanted to read it ing is used as a management tool in immediately. Cranes is the result of captivity, fostering Whooping Cranes over two decades of propagation under Sandhill Cranes was discontinued research at the International Crane because none of the cross-fostered Foundation (ICF) and three decades of Whoopers when paired and bred with WATCHBIRD BINDERS their own species were successful. research at the Patuxent Wildlife Hansome, sturdy binderholds a full year's issues of Research Center. The book is the accu­ The section on conservation presents The Watchbird (6 issues). Of rich brown leather-like vinyl embossed ingold. $7.00 each mulation ofthe best in crane avicultur­ the latest known data regarding the al sciences. numbers, habitats, ranges, etc. of each CONTINENTAL U.S. - Add $2.75 ShippinglHan­ dling for one binder. Add 75¢ for each additional Cranes was written by many species in its native habitat. binder. FOREIGN - Add $8.00 Shipping/Handling forone authors, with one or more contributors Cranes: Their Biology, Husbandry binder. Add $2.50 for each additional binder. writing each chapter Numerous peo­ and Conservation costs $49.95 and can Please remit in U.S.funds. ple were involved in the creation of be ordered from Hancock Wildlife Phone orders acceptedusing s­ this book including photographers, Research Center, 1431 Harrison Ave., American FederationofAviculture P.O. Box56218 illustrators, field biologists, avicultur­ Blaine , WA 98230-5005. Tel: 800-938­ Phoenix,Arizona85079-6218 ists, conservationists and others 1114 or 604-538-1114. Fax: 800-983­ (602)484-0931. 'ax(602) 484-0109 throughout the world-all involved in 2262 or 604-538-2262. + afa WATCHBIRD 49