snell@utzoo.uucp (snell) (11/10/89)
A company in Canada ("Collectors Choice") sells imported stuffed birds.
In the October 1989 issue of the magazine _Leisureways_ (published
as the official magazine of the Ontario branch of the CAA--Canadian
Automobile Association), is an ad for imported `products'.
I have no idea whether this would be legal in the US, nor whether
`Collectors Choice' in particular operates there (why not--that is what
`Free Trade' is all about).
The ad copy reads, in part,
"Birds of the Orient...
Now for the first time, a rare collection of ten irresistably
_natural_ birds. Imported directly from the Far East. Commisioned
by the foremost artist of all time. Mother Nature... An heirloom
collection for you to display and admire in your own home... Limited
only by Mother Nature herself."
These stuffed birds (i.e., once living, now dead) are sold in a series
of 10 (one per month) with a total price of $395.00 (Canadian).
They include, amongst other species, budgies (though why anyone would
want a stuffed budgie for $39.50, rather than buy a live budgie at a
pet store for $15.00 (which is what they usually sell for in Toronto),
is quite beyond me).
I am somewhat embarassed, as a Canadian, that there is no law
preventing this activity. As long as the birds are not on the CITES
list, and as long as they are stuffed with non-agricultural products,
there are no restrictions whatsoever on importation. No permits of
any kind are required. As well, as long as the birds are declared to be
"taxonomic mounts" rather than "toys" or "jewelry" there is
_no_ import duty. There are no restrictions on selling these in Canada.
Aside from being in extremely bad taste, it is a practice of very
questionable moral value. It would be entirely illegal to collect
songbirds in Canada, the US, or Mexico for these reasons and offer
them for sale in Canada. It is also illegal to own a wild bird in
Canada if it is a native North American species. It is illegal to
even posses a dead one, and `salvage permits' are hard to obtain.
Thus, a double standard is imposed on third world countries where
these these birds are obtained: people there are encouraged, economically,
to engage in an activity for the amusement of Canadians which would
be illegal here.
As well, as the supply will be "Limited only by Mother Nature herself,"
it would seem reasonable to assume the local avifauna may be significantly,
and negatively, impacted.
`Collector's Choice' states in a letter-to-the-editor of a major Toronto
newspaper (Toronto Star, 6 Nov 1989), while trying to rebut a columnist's
very negative story about this,
"It is unfortunate that the writer made no effort to contact
Collectors Choice, as he would have learned that the birds are
raised in captivity, as well as found out the exact names of the
birds in question."
I did this, and it seems most unlikely to those of us here who work on birds
that some of these species could be bred on an ongoing basis in
captivity. In particular, I find it hard to believe that bee-eaters,
shrikes, or bulbuls can be bred. (Obviously budgies can be.)
Here is a partial list of species. I would appreciate receiving an email
from anyone knowing of successful captive breeding programs for
any of these species, or, documented evidence that captive breeding
is unsuccessful.
Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus orientalis
Chinese Oriole Oriolus cinensis
Chinese Bulbul Pycnonotus cinensis
Black-headed Shrike Lanius schach
Black-backed Forktail Enicurus immaculatus
Collared Finch-bill Bulbul Spizixos semitorques
Chestnut-sided Bee-eater Merops lescheraulti
As well, if anyone can provide any literature citations discussing
the status of these specific species, that would be helpful. These
are not exactly the sort of birds we work on ourselves...
By the way, if you want to call Collectors Choice, and express your
opinion about this activity, or to get more information, do give them
a call: 1-800-263-2939, and ask for Ellen Field.
--
Name: Richard Snell
Mail: Dept. Zoology, Univ. Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A1
UUCP: uunet!attcan!utzoo!snell BITNET: snell@zoo.utoronto.ca