Enclosed is a copy of my letter to Chairman Studds' Subcommittee regarding the pending "USFWS Bird Bill." As I have discussed with you, our organization is in support of the Bill as currently written.

We are categorically opposed to the irresponsible wholesale capture and importation of birds for the pet trade. Having said that we also wish to stress that responsible aviculturists are not and have not been involved in this kind of activity.

When you testify before Mr. Studda' Subcommittee on behalf of the many caring aviculturists in America please know that you have my full support and that of the entire membership of the Carolinas/ Virginia Pheasant and Waterfowl Society. Thank you for all your efforts on behalf of bird lovers everywhere.

If I can be of any assistance to you please feel free to contact

The Carolinas/Virginia Pheasant and Waterfowl Society was established in 1987 for the purpose of promoting responsible keeping and rearing of pheasant and waterfowl species. Our members, nov numbering over 300 spread over more than 20 states, typically are aviculturists who keep birds for their own enjoyment and who accept the challenge of preserving, protecting, and expanding the population of rare and endangered species. Our organization does not promote the retail or wholesale pet trade. Conversely, ve attempt to educate the public on the various aspects of responsible aviculture. We collect and disseminate pertinent scientific data regarding proper keeping and rearing of pheasants and waterfovi.

It is necessary and proper that various pheasant and vaterfowl breeders transport small numbers of birds to other breeders for the purpose of maintaining and strengthening existing gene pools, especially with endangered species. This essential movement of small numbers of birds should not be confused with the mass shipment of pet birds for sale which ve categorically oppose.

As president of an organization which stands for responsible aviculture and which tirelessly promotes the highest standards of care and breeding of pheasant and waterfowl species I wish to offer the support of our organization and its members for the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (H. R. 4958) as currently proposed (copy attached). We agree that the current practices of the international pet trade in wild caught birds is contributing to the decline of many species in the wild and that the wholesale importation of birds for profit should be controlled in order to protect threatened species in the wild.

It is important to note that not all species and families of birds are targeted and exploited by the pet trade. Your subcommittee staff has visely recognized this fact and has made exceptions for several of the non-pet type

On behalf of the Carolinas/Virginia Pheasant and Waterfowl Society and responsible aviculturists everyvhere I applaud your efforts to stop profiterring at the expense of wild caught pet type birds.

Edward D Asper
Nancy Collins
Gus Ben David
Jane Dawson

Scott Drieschman

Paul Dye

Carolyn Emerick

Vance Grannis

Ray Gwynes
William Hancock

Glenn Howe

Jack Kiracole

Dr. Warren Koehler

William R. Lowe

Michael Lubbock

William Makins

Eldon Pace

Chuck Pilling

Edward C Schmitt
Philip 8 Stanton

Walter Sturgeon, Jr.

Frank Todd

Earnest Weaver

Lee, NH 03824

May 31, 1992

Dr. Donald Bruning, Chairman & Curator

Department of Ornithology

New York Zoological Society
Bronx, NY 10460

Dear Don:

We would certainly like you to represent IVWA at any
Congressional hearings pertaining to the "third" "bird bill”,
H. R. 4958. Your earlier efforts are much appreciated and appear
to have had an impact. H. R. 4958 is certainly better than the
previous two bills because it recognizes aviculture as a useful
conservation technique.

The new bill still needs some work and hopefully your testimony
will accomplish what is needed. Specific comments are as
follows:

1. Section 4 under definition (2) should be expanded to list grouse and quail from the term "exotic bird" as are most of the other game birds.

2. The act should be ammended to allow for importation of properly documented captive reared birds.

3. Penalities seem to be excessive in this guilty until proven innocent atmosphere. As I remember a similar offense in the Endangered Species Act is a $5000 fine.

4. Search and seizure on private property without a warrant is unnecessary and should be deleted.

I will be in the Canadian arctic doing research from June 17 until August 19 and would like you to refer all matters pertaining to this issue and Captive Bred Wildlife proposed changes to Mike Lubbock, Sylvan Heights Waterfowl, P.O. Box 36, Scotland Neck, NC 27874.

THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR EFFORTS!

Sincerely,

Walt Shingen

This letter is sent to you on behalf of the 300 plus members of the Northeastern Avicultural Society of Westford, Massachusetts. Our members would ask your support on our behalf at the hearings scheduled, with regards to House B11 2540 and 2541 and Article #1 of the proposal, to eliminate the present restrictions on Captive Bred Wildlife as they pertain to Pheasants and Game Birds.

The aviculturalists who are supporting the raising of captive bred game birds
have been penalized for many years with restrictive regulations, and the
removal of these regulations, as proposed in Article #1,will benefit greatly
the perpetuation of these species. Currently, many fine and qualified people
will not keep pheasant that are among the fifteen species that are listed
as endangered, because of the restrictions and paper work involved. We
support any regulations that support these species in the wild and believe
that this can be accomplished by strict import/export regulations.

Our members would appreciate your committee hearing the testimony of
Mr. Donald Bruning, a well respected and competent person, who is employed
by the Bronx Zoo and is endorsed by many other avicultural groups across
the country.

A letter explaining our views would be so lengthy that you might discard it
before reading it completely, and so we ask you to consider Mr. Bruning
when you set up your itinerary for these hearings.

Thank you on behalf of all our Massachusetts members and aviculturalists throughout the country.