Cage & Aviary Birds Magazine No.5802 Mallee Magic Vorige editie

WE ALL LOVE a bargain, especially when
it’s to do with our hobby. I still remember,
at a church fête years ago, spotting a
stack of drab brown hardback books on a
stall. They appeared so dull that I almost
walked on by, but luckily I took a second glance and
realised I was looking at a full set of Witherby’s classic
Handbook of British Birds (1938-41). Two minutes later
they were mine for a few quid.
To be honest, I never thought I’d actually need them, yet
quite recently they proved invaluable as references for a
writing project. For some species, the information on diet,
nesting and behaviour is still the best available, as later
works of reference acknowledge. Outlay justified!
You’ll have your own favourite bargain stories, and this week Brian
Keenan shares one of his – from an antiques fair at the Stafford
Showground, where for a fiver he picked up three pictorial
albums by the late artist C.F. Tunnicliffe (see page 18). Do
you know his work? That clear, bright style, with the birds
placed perfectly in context, has been much imitated but
not, in my opinion, surpassed. What a find for Brian – and
yet another reason to visit Stafford.
 Ed’s Quote of the Week: “Eire OA president Eddie
Darcy worked tirelessly throughout the show to ensure that
there was always Irish whiskey and Irish cheese in
abundance.” By heck, that’s the way to draw visitors to
your stand at the World Show (see page 23). Well done, sir!
 Full marks to Pontyates CBS and the North East Lizard
Canary Club for their initiatives to attract youngsters to
birdkeeping (News, pages 2 and 4). For a CBS, the idea of
allowing children to show their birds in
their own cages sounds like an obvious
winner. Good luck to both.
Enjoy your birds this week.