Marsh Farms INCUBATORS • FEATURING fully automatic Some Endangered turners. Adjustable temperature and humidity control. And The Role Aviculture Could Play In Their Survival

by Tony Silva, Curator , Puerto de la Cruz ,

The epitomy of endangered parrots locality not distant from the Sao Fran­ ROLL-X is a blue and grey referred to cisco River where the type speci­ Up to 209 eggs. as Ararinha do spixi where it is men was collected. native. Ornithologists call this bird Several points highlight the history Cyanopsitta spixii and aviculturists of this macaw. Almost all sightings know it as Spix's Macaw, a species have been made in the same locality; which has no close relatives and with one exception, the person mak­ which is the only representative ofits ing the observations have been Ger­ genus. It has always been rare and at man speaking ornithologists; and the present is known from a single wild decline has been the result of trapp­ bird, a remnant of a population that ing, followed by habitat degradation, Up to 480 once comprised some 30 pairs. hunting and the introduction of the Egg Capacity. There are some 21 specimens in African honey bee, in that order. That captivity, and these offfer the only trapping has been the most destruc­ hope for saving this species from tive force is highlighted by the fact extinction. that 15 months after Roth discovered The decline ofCyanopsitta spixii is the Cura~a population, only one bird important, for it has occurred rela­ remained; the other two had been tively qUickly and aviculturists are collected by a dealer living in Petrol­ mainly to blame. The species was ina, in whose hands one died - the first collected by Johannes Baptist survivor is believed to have been sent von Spix, a German ornithologist out ofBrazil. who traveled throughout the north of Brazil for three years from 1817 on All ofthe recent interest in Cyanop­ behalf of the Bavarian Museum. Near sitta spixii is due to a seizure made Jauzeiro, a town on the Sao Francisco by Juan S. Villalba-Madas, a staunch River, his hunters obtained a speci­ conservationist and head of World men. This bird was used in describing Wildlife Fund's TRAFFIC office in in 1832 Psittace spixii, named after Montevideo, Uruguay. On the morn­ von Spix by].G. Wagler. In the early ing of 23 March 1987, with a group 1900s, another German, O. Reiser, of police, he stormed the house of sighted the species near Parnagua, Ernst Koopmann, one of the best MANUFACTURED BY Piaui. No other reports of the species known dealers in South America and were made until 1974 when Helmut a man who at that time had been Sick and Dante Martins Teixeira trading in birds for over 30 years. The ~~Hr:~ sighted five believed to be two nestlings he had were confis­ this species in flight near Formosa cated and returned to Brazil. The 2765 MAIN STREET Dept. W CHULA VISTA, CA 92011 U.S.A. do Rio Preto, northwestern Bahia. resulting publicity sparked the crea­ TELEPHONE: (619) 585-9900 The next observer was Paul Roth, tion of a committee for the recovery who in mid-1986 saw and photo­ of this species by the Brazilian gov­ 'c;;;;;j!~ graphed the last three birds, these ernment. WE ACCEPT 1_O ! occurring in the area of Curaca, a The future of Cyanopsitta spixii is

16 April/May 1992 Judge us by the company we keep

USDA • US. Center for Disease Control • Mayo Clinic • Saudi Royal Family Sloan-Kettering Institute· Walt Disney world. Busch Gardens • Opryland Six Flags • Lion Country Safari • US. Army • US. Air Force • VA Hospitals Countless Zoos • Universities and Game Preserves throughout the Free World Write for our free catalog! very insecure but breeding successes in the collection of Antonio de Dios of the Philippines and Josef Ham­ The Humidaire Incubator Company merli in Switzerland, suggest that it Department W, P.O. Box 9, New Madison, OH 45346-0009 may be possible to establish this species in captivity and ultimately (513) 996-3001 • FAX (513) 996-3633 reintroduce it to the wild. Many con­ cessions have been made in order to Serving the world for 61 years try to save this species, the most important relating to the legality issue. The majority of the Spix's Pure, natural, and cleaned ... Macaws have been smuggled out of finest cuttlebone available! Brazil, but the government will con­ small 6"-7" • medium 7"-10" • jumbo 10"-13" • mixed sizes sider them as legal, prOVided their holders agree to join the committee. This committee is made up of hold­ ers of this species, government officials, conservationists and orni­ 5lbs, at $3,90 per lb. =$19,50 thologists. 10 Ibs, at $3,00 per lb. = $30,00 (Minimum All orders prepaid and shipped freight collect order 5 ibs,) The sad case with the Spix's is that aviculture was almost solely respon­ sible for its decline. For many years, We also feature AUlea everyone stated that the main threat lory and Softbill Diets to wild populations was habi­ tat loss; now we are realizing that this & KAYT~~ ct is true in many but not all cases. Like ~9UTRITION the Spix's, the Hyacinthine Macaw o•• Anodo1'hynchus hyacinthinus has NO MESS been affected by excessive trapping. LORY LIFE LORY LIFE NECTAR Ifwe look at the published reports of 3 Ibs. 513.90 • 6lbs. 525.50 3lbs. 535.00 • 6lbs. 567.50 the ornithologists Reiser, Kampfer, Dealer also other softbill diets available. Rehn, Stager and others that predate and With addition of fresh fruits, these are complete diets, the 1960s, all state that the species Breeder SPRAY MILLET 5lbs. - 515,00 CinciudesfreightinUSA) was common. In the late 1970s, Prices SOAK COOK for parrots development in the heretofore Available & inaccessible areas boomed and the CUTTLEBONE PLUS species began to disappear. Simul­ P.O. Box 305, Dept. A, Fallbrook, CA 92028 I VISA I taneously to this, trapping increased, (619) 731-2242 • the birds being sent out from Para­ Dick Schroeder. breeder ofsoftbills, rare lories. and pet parrots guay and later Bolivia; they were exported as endemics but the small Orders Only (800) 747-9878 • FAX (619) 731-0403

afa WATCHIlIRD 17 populations in these two countries very imprinted. This is a problem if The current trend in the U.S. - and I could not support the level of har­ they are to serve as future breeders, must point out that this is not the vesting. It slowly became apparent given that many of the breeding case in Europe - to hybridize that the majority of birds were being behaviors are learned; hand-reared macaws is shameful. The birds which smuggled out of the pantanal, the birds lack the benefit of acquiring are produced exhibit hybrid vigor, seasonally flooded part ofsouthwest­ such knowledge as mating display, which makes them stronger; they ern Brazil. With tighter controls and communication and flock cohesion could, with time, cause the disap­ the species up-listing to CITES from their parents. To re-introduce pearance of the true species. Impos­ Appendix I or endangered, which the species would be impossible sible! you may exclaim. Then let me prevents trade except under very unless the young are parent-reared. ask you this: when was the last time special circumstances, exports came We know from the case with the you saw a pure-bred Fischer's Love­ under stricter control. However, Thick-billed Parrots Rhynchopsitta bird Agapornis fischeri? The birds another gap would soon open: the pachyrhyncha released in Arizona, you keep may look like the wild type, birds would be sent out illegally in that hand-reared birds become dis­ but in ten to one ofthe cases, genetic small numbers directly from Brazil. oriented; they lack even the simplest tests will reveal them to be impure: Stricter enforcement of the law of knowledge of flocking behavior. they will have the blood ofthe Black­ 1967, which was passed by the Braz­ They then become easy targets for masked Lovebird Agapornisperson­ ilian congress in order to stop all predators. You may be thinking that ata flowing through their veins. Just internal and external trade in en­ it is absurd to consider releasing a imagine the damage that would demic wildlife, has largely stopped species back into the wild when the result if these ostensibly pure this flow of birds overseas; but this current population is being slowly Fischer's Lovebirds were released has not meant that trade has ceased trapped out of existence. And for back into the wild! altogether, for now the internal Bra­ thinking this you are right. But I am This trend of hybridiZing reflects zilian market would begin absorbing not suggesting that we return Hya­ very poorly on aviculture. Ifyou visit the birds collected. It is difficult to cinthine Macaws to the wild now, many parts of South America where state with certainty, but several but in the future, when the pres­ the Scarlet, Blue and Gold and Green­ hundred Hyacinthine Macaws are sures which have brought the popu­ Winged Macaws occur, you will see probably sold each year by the illegal lations to a low point, have been them drink and visit mineral deposits bird markets which operate through­ ameliorated. along a river bank together; but you out Brazil. We in aviculture often justify our will never see them interbreed. Each By the time Jorgen Thomsen, existence by claiming that we breed species occupies a distinct niche, Carlos Yamashita and Charles Munn birds in order to save them from feeding on a different food and even began their census in 1987 for the eventual extinction. This, unfortu­ breeding in a different type of cavity. CITES Secretariat, the overall popula­ nately, is only partly true; we breed The Scarlet Macaw, for example, will tions had been reduced to between birds to keep them from disappear­ utilize a tree for nesting, while the 2500 and 5000 birds, with the closest ing but what we are breeding are Green-Winged Macaw will often figure probably being 3000 speci­ cage-conditioned animals which select a hole in a cliff face. Ifthe spe­ mens. The majority occurred in would be unable to survive if cies do not cross-breed naturally, Brazil, with a small number (perhaps returned to the wild. For many orni­ why should we attempt to hybridize 100 to 300) in Bolivia and probably thologists and conservationists this is them in captivity? Many of you in only two in Paraguay. That the spe­ not doing the species true justicej favor of hybridizing will use argu­ cies has ebbed so considerably was they feel it is preferable to save the ments that they are beautiful, com­ not the only bad news that resulted species in the wild first and in captiv­ mand higher prices and are in from their field work; it also became ity second. It may be difficult for you demand. To these weak statements I apparent that populations had to understand this point ofview until would reply the following: Can a Cat­ become fragmented and this pre­ you experience the thrill ofwatching alina, the result of a cross between a vented the interchange of genetic parrots in the wild. They clearly Scarlet and a Blue and Gold, be more blood. In other words, over a time, show vitality, dexterity, intelligence, beautiful than a pure bred Scarlet inbreeding would become a prob­ and a joy for living. Their sheer exist­ Macaw? The demand and price issue lem. ence justifies the protection of the are created by aviculturistsj if hybrids While the Hyacinthine Macaw's habitat; without parrots there is a did not exist, there would be no long-term survival in the wild is in lesser incentive to protect a forest demand and explaining to a buyer doubt unless all further trapping is community. Parrots are brightly why such a bird should not be stopped, its existence in aviaries is colored, and this and the aforemen­ bought will almost invariably result now more assured than ever. This tioned reasons, can be used to con­ in them understanding the situation. species has begun breeding with reg­ vince authorities that this or that par­ I have seen the offspring between ularity and it should be possible, with cel of land be protected; they would the Catalina and a Blue and Gold existing flocks, to have captive, self­ be far less interested in conserving a which looked very much like the sustaining populations, provided we small, drab and to them uninteresting Blue and Gold but which genetically in aviculture change some of the cur­ finch. Consequently, parrots not only was very different. As with lovebirds, rent practices. Every Hyacinthine proVide a key to protecting the envi­ the relase ofsuch a bird into the wild breeder in the U.S. - this is not as ronment but also to saVing other could create very major problems. common a problem in Europe ­ species. Hybridization should only occur, in removes the eggs or young for hand­ For birds to be re-introduced into my opinion, when there is but only rearing. These highly intelligent and the wild, there are certain considera­ one individual of a very rare species affectionate birds tend to become tions which must be kept in mind. and no available mate; to breed it 18 April/ May 1992 WHAT YOUR BIRD HAS BEEN WAITING FOR: ade Easy. Zoogen, the leading company in psciffacine and avian biotechnology, can determine your bird's sex using a single drop o( blood. Convenience • Not age dependent. • Samples can be taken in the first weeks of abird's life. • Sample collection is simple and takes only 10 minutes. • No refrigeration needed -- samples can be sent by U.S. mail. Safety • No anesthetic is necessary. • It is anoninvasive procedure. • There is minimal stress to your bird.

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afa WATCHI3IHD 19 r, with a closely-related species, in prised to learn that the Sun Conure pygia. This native of the Philippines order to keep the' 'species" alive, Aratinga s. solstitialis is a relatively is threatened with extinction by habi­ would be justified. It would also be recent arrival in aviculture; it was tat loss and Psittacine Beak and acceptable to hybridize in order to almost unknown prior to the 1970s Feather Syndrome, a deadly virus resolve problems of genetic deter­ but is now so commonly reared and accidentally introduced into the wild ioration. The small, existing wild in such large numbers that no addi­ flocks; this occurred when a group of population of Lear's Macaws Anodo­ tional imports are needed to keep the infected birds confiscated from a rhynchus leari is showing genetic species alive. The closely-related trader was released by Fauna author­ degredation. Birds with deformed Golden-capped Conure Aratinga s. ities. Its long-term existence is also bills and tails have been seen. To save auricapilla appeared in large num­ questionable in captivity, where it this species may require that speci­ bers dUring the late 1970s, the birds was never established. One reason is mens be crossed with Hyacinthine being smuggled out of Brazil and that breeders have found males to be Macaws and then carefully bred to exported from Bolivia or Paraguay. particularly aggressive, killing their ensure that the Lear's Macaw traits It is as prolific as the Sun Conure, mates without warning. This prob­ predominate. Crossing would also be but in contrast to that species, the lem can, however, be overcome: acceptable as part of a well thought Golden-capped Conure is suffering. pairs can be housed in especially long out experiment. from considerable habitat degra­ flights and the primary feathers on Mutations can be as damaging as dation and in many parts of its range one of the cock's wings can be hybrids. These sports, which appear it has become extinct. Here avicul­ trimmed, this to reduce his flight most often as blue or lutino speci­ turists have a possibility to contri­ capabilities; the nest can have two mens, may be very striking, and to bute to its survival. The problem is entrances, so that should the male establish them would undoubtedly that most breeders have failed to dif­ enter one hole in a fit of anger the make the breeder famous in certain ferentiate between the two SUbspe­ hen can escape through the other. circles and earn him considerable cies - auricapilla has a red back What breeders need to do now is to money. The problem is that some while aurifrons does not. As a result, integrate every Red-vented in a breed­ mutations are extremely dominant the birds we have in aviculture are of ing program. We have little chance of and their proliferation is at the cost mixed subspecific composition. establishing this species, but must try of the wild type from which they There is yet another problem which hard or conservationists will justifi­ originated. Look, for example, at the breeders should realize and attempt ably point a finger and state: they Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus. It to improve. The majority of the allowed an ideal opportunity to slip is impossible to find a normal bird breeders in the U.S., where the through their hands. that breeds true - all have genes for species is most common, are still pro­ Another cockatoo species which mutations. This is a common species; ducing from the original imports; could benefit from an intensive but what would occur if the birds their progeny are rarely kept back to breeding program is the Citron­ were rare or endangered? The estab­ form additional pairs but are sold on crested Cacatua sulphurea citrino­ lishment of a mutation then would to the pet market. Once the original cristata. This very distinct subspecies dearly be detrimental to the survival wild birds begin to die off from old of the Lesser Sulphur-crested Cock­ of the species which truly needs age, we will see its captive popula­ atoo Cacatua sulphurea occurs only conserving. tion shrink dramatically. My feeling is on one island - Sumba in the lesser Aviculture has proven in the past that unless we act now, this species Sundas. Many parts ofthis island have two decades that to commercially faces the possibility of dying out ­ been cleared of its native forests breed parrots, many of which were and once it does there will be no which the cockatoos need for nesting formerly considered difficult, is pos­ chance of introducing it a second and feeding; it has been trapped for sible. Breeders have reared young time. the trade; and viable populations are from 84% of the 314 parrot species; Another species which was once no longer believed to exist in the some ofthese have been produced to traded in numbers and which is now wild. There are many Citron-eresteds the second or subsequent genera­ gravely threatened is the Red-vented in aviculture. We must pool these tions. As an example, you may be sur- Cockatoo Cacatua haematuro- birds and begin breeding them. This should not be difficult; my experi­ ence with this cockatoo is that given a nest and time, they will breed and ParrotBands • Cockatiel Bands • Lovebird Bands will then continue doing so with notable regularity. The problem that Parakeet Bands • CanaryBands • Handfeeding Syringes I see is that breeders which rear this All sizes ofplastic bands • Band Cutters • Nets species sell them into the trade as Stainless Steel Feeding Needles pets. This will undoubtedly keep it Pipettes • ClawScissors FAST from becoming established as new SERVICEI pairs, comprised of captive-bred Send self-addressed, stamped envelope birds, are not being formed. for complete brochure. The Moluccan or Salmon-crested Cockatoo Cacatua moluccensis is L & M BIRD LEG BANDS being reared with great frequency, P.O. Box 2943 • San Bernardino, CA 92406 particularly in the U.S. As with the (714) 882-4649 Monday thru Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (PST) Citron-crested, the young are sold for Closed month ofJuly for vacation. pets. The problem here is also that new pairs are not being established - 20 April/May 1992 and obtaining adults from the wild established a strain of aviary bred Amazon Amazona a. aestiva, which where the populations have practi­ birds. Here is where one of you with it resembles but for the more variable cally been decimated by excessive limited space and good intentions head colors and the presence of yel­ trapping, will no longer be possible. could make a contribution that in a low on the bend of the wing, has It is protected from trade by its listing few years will be notable. declined in some areas. It is not yet on Appendix I (endangered). If we One group which is particularly endangered but it is certainly a spe­ do not, in a short period of time, keen to breed, extremely brightly cies which needs close monitoring. establish a sustaining captive popula­ colored and very lively are the lories Truly endangered is the Finsch' or tion, which increases in the number and lorikeets. Their main fault is their Lilac-crowned Amazonafinschi and of producing pairs from year to year, liqUid diet, which results in the Green-cheeked or Mexican Red­ many in the conservationist com­ extremely fluid droppings. New headed Amazons Amazona viridi­ munity will justifiably look at the developments in respect to diet have genalis, both of which have much trade in this species as having been resulted in formulations that reduce smaller ranges; they have also been one of extreme waste, and which considerably the liqUid nature of the target of excessive trade, but in resulted in its extinction in the wild. I their feces. The small species are par­ their case habitat destruction has use the word extinction because the ticularly striking, yet with the excep­ been more widespread. Persons who few surviving birds are insufficient tion of the Goldie's Trichoglossus live in and who have been for genetic interchange between goldiae none are established. To acquainted with these birds in the populations and to add enough establish a species like the Fairy field, report that each year their recruits to the flocks to compensate Charmosyna pulchella would be a numbers decline. Two other Mexican for natural losses. tremendous contribution to avi­ species, the Double Yellow-headed I have pointed out several times culture. Amazons Amazona ochrocephala that we must establish this or that For those with space, several mem­ oratrix and A.o. magna, have also species and must be ever-watchful bers of the genus Amazona could been affected by trade and habitat that the young do not all go for pets. benefit from your attention. These loss, and could benefit from a coor­ Many will use the argument that pet parrots, which are particularly popu­ dinated breeding program. birds will, as they age and become lar as pets, have been traded in large Breeders working with this or any aggressive, return to breeders. This is numbers; in 1987 alone other species should not make the a weak argument. Look, for example, exported 31,599 specimens of the mistak(;·of purchasing a single pair, at the hundreds of Nicaraguan Green Yellow-winged Amazon Amazona but if truly serious must have a mini­ Conures Aratinga holochlora aestiva xanthopteryx. This subspe­ mum of four pairs; these, once they strenua imported into the U.S. dur­ cies ofthe better known Blue-fronted begin nesting, will allow you to breed ing the 1960s and '70s. I know ofnot one pair in the hands of a breeder in the U.S., indeed, only in Guatemala and in Germany is the species being kept with the aim of breeding. What breeders must do is to keep back NORSHORE PETS young and form new pairs; if any Acollection of the finest birds that were former pets are supplies available for your birds. obtained, these should be considered a bonus. "Chatter" It is not only the large species one ofour five petcockatiels which are in trouble in the wild. The small Miritiba Pearly Conure Pyrr­ KELLOGG'S: Petamine/ BUdgimine, Song hura perlata coerulescens occurs in Food, Seedies, plus other mixes, an area of Brazil where much of the KELLOGG'S pelleted cage bird food, forest has been cleared. Here is a Tweats and Hand Feeding Formula, species which has many desirable SILVER SONG'S fortified diets for all cage qualities, ranging from a free and reli­ birds, plus Mineralite Grit, able breeder to being attractively colored. A breeder wanting to make a Lafeber, Nekton. Rich Health, Hoel. contribution to aviculture could con­ Prevue/ Hendryx, Fritz, Super Pet, Lustar. centrate on establishing this species Duro-iite, Mardel. Next to Nature further. Another small parrot which Books. Nets. Feeders. Stands. Cages must be mentioned is the Golden­ • Seeds. Nest boxes. Vitamins crowned Conure Aratinga aurea. CATALOG $3.00, Until the present time this species refundable with first order continues to be traded, but this may Pick up or shipped U,P,S, not be for long. It has declined dra­ matically in the wild. Of hundreds of Rt. 1, Box 1DO, Coloma, WI 54930 HOURS: hours spent in the field, in areas Mon,- Fri. 8 - 4 where it is known to occur, I have 1(800) 245-6732 • (715) 228-4040 Sat, 9 - noon seen it on very few occasions. These Central Time conures are relatively quiet, breed well and are inexpensive. No one has

afa WATCHBIRD 21 for three generations without inbreeding. Much more preferable would be ten pairs. The very least one should have is three pairs. This is WE TAKE THE WORRY to ensure some genetic diversity. to allow you to continue your program OUT OF DIETS even if some losses are experienced. and to give you enough birds to swap PLANT -PROTM mates should incompatibility be r encountered. This recommendation D probably goes against the wishes of CERTIFIED many breeders, who have single pairs of many species. Such a collection is DIETS pleasing to the eyes in that colors and species are variable; but it will contri­ by Avian Nutritional Experts bute little in regards to information and conservation. We must realize D's that we are not Noah and our aviaries ALL DIETS ARE ANALYZED FOR HEAVY his arc: we should specialize, and in METALS, PESTICIDES, MYCOTOXINS, so doing learn as much as we can E.COLl, SALMONELLA ** about a particular species. To me it is far more impressive to speak to an PROPER NUTRITION WITH ALL VITAMINS, aviculturist who knows a consider­ able amount about a particular spe­ MICRO-AND MACRO-ELEMENTS, 10 BALANCED cies, than one who knows a little ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS, AND PROPER about many. The specialist, by ENERGY TO PROTEIN RATIOS. ALL FAT FROM spending much time with the same PLANT PRODUCTS (PRIMARILY MONO- AND species, will be able to notice behav­ POLY-UNSATURATED FATS) ACCOUNTING FOR ior that could possibly have gone unnoticed and which could contri­ UNDER 30% OF CALORIES. bute much to our knowledge of that species. Breeders are encouraged to OUR POLICY: TO PROVIDE FAST, FRIENDLY record their information in one ofthe SERVICE WITH 95% OF ORDERS SHIPPED many magazines which are pub­ WITHIN 24 HOURS. YOU MUST BE SATISFIED. lished. Your information need not necessarily be typed; syntax also should not concern you. The import­ Life cycle nutrition: baby bird hand feeding ant part is to record the information. diet, starter grower diet, maintenance diet, Many editors would be delighted to and layer diet-- NO ANIMAL PRODUCTS receive your hand-written notes, which they could then edit. Some will even accept a cassette, which ONLY PLANT PROTEIN SOURCES USED they will transcribe. OVER THE LAST 6 YEARS Aviculture has for many years been DIETS FOR SMALL AND LARGE PARROTS. BUDGIES. considered a hobby, which for some CANARIES AND RNCHES IN 5, 25, & 50 LB BAGS. 5 LBS occasionally develops into a busi­ REGULAR DIETS @ $9.40 POSTAGE PAID. SPECIAL ness. This has been fine until now. DISCOUNTS ON FEED ORDERS OVER $100, AND SAVE ON The future, however, is very bleak for SHIPPING. BREEDERS CHECK WITH US FIRST. CALL FOR many species. Trade in wild birds will INFO ON PRICES: ACCEPT VISA, MC, DISCOVER: WE SHIP no longer be permitted to occur and C.O.D., UPS, TRUCK. APO. SPECIAL PRICES TO HI AND AK. in those cases where it will, the num­ bers of birds traded will be very CANADIAN CUSTOMERS ARE VERY WELCOME. small. For many species, their exist­ CHECK WITH US FOR POOLED CLUB ORDERS. ence in aviaries will be linked to the WE SHIP TO EUROPE success ofbreeders: ifthey are reared ** Assay results for a in sufficient numbers, they will particular batch code number become established; if not enough are available for $3.00. are produced, then they will disap­ pear. We must act now and take the from AVI-SCI, INC., P.O. BOX 598, OKEMOS, MI 48805. necessary steps to become much more efficient, to become conserva­ Ph 1-800-942-DIET (3438) tionist minded, and to become more scientific in our approach. If we do, SCIENCE IS IN OUR NAME AND OUR PRODUCTS future generations will look at avicul­ ture as having offered an alternative to eternal extinction.• 22 April/May 1992