Chapter 25 - REGULATIONS

Effective November 15, 1951, all federal restrictions on the interstate shipment of psittacine birds were rescinded. Shipments are now subject only to state laws. While most states have also rescinded their laws prohibiting shipment, the following are still to be observed:

Maryland and Connecticut. Birds cannot be sold, given away, or shipped into these states. However, both states have their laws under consideration, and it is assumed these laws will be modified before the end of 1953.

Nebraska. Permit required to ship birds into the state. Permit may be obtained from State Board of Health.

Wyoming. Permit required to ship birds into the state. Permit obtained from State Live Stock and Sanitary Board.

Washington. Certificate of inventory and origin of ship­ment required to ship birds into the state. Certificate may be obtained from Department of Health prior to shipping of birds.

Michigan and New Jersey. Psittacine birds can be sold within the state, but birds may not be shipped into the state except to zoos.

Oregon. Psittacine birds may be sold within state. Per­mits to bring birds in will be issued by State Board of Health upon sworn affidavit by owner to following conditions: no more than two birds; in owner's possession for two years, hav­ing no contact with other psittacine birds during that time; birds accompanied by owner; birds will be transported im­mediately to owner's home and retained there as household pets. Permits to ship birds to zoos or research institutes issued on sworn statement including type and number of birds to be shipped.

IMPORTING

The latest amendments in the Public Law dated and approved May 24, 1949, state that except for Migratory Birds which require a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Interior, Wash. 25, D.C., general permits are no longer expressly required, although the new law pro­vides that the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe such requirements, and issue such permits as he may deem neces­sary for the transportation of birds under humane and health­ful conditions. The plane or ship premises must be sanitary, and the birds properly fed and cared for.

Migratory birds imported from Mexico must be accom­panied by Mexican export permits. The law further states that if any bird was captured, shipped, possessed or exported contrary to the law of the foreign country or a subdivision thereof, entry will be denied. A long new list of birds mi­grating from Mexico into the United States has recently been added to the previous listing.

The European Starling is one of the birds dealt with in this book whose entry is prohibited. Its sufficient numbers in many parts of the United States make it easily obtainable for a pet. The other birds whose importation is prohibited are:

European Yellowhammer, English Sparrow, Crested or Chinese Mynah, Skylark, Common Mynah, Greenfinch, Chaf­finch, European Bullfinch.

Under a 1952 regulation exhibitors of psittacine birds, or entertainers who use birds in their acts, can take psittacine birds out of the United States and bring them back if they apply for a permit. They contact the Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service, Washington 25, D.C., prior to departure for a permit. This is accompanied by a sworn statement showing the itinerary, number and descrip­tion of birds, a statement that he will comply with the terms of the permit and give any other information the Surgeon General may request.

Mostly the regulation changes the definition of a Zoolo­gical park. Their definition is that it is a place for the ex­hibition of live animals for recreational or educational pur­poses. It does not include any place that is used for, or whose owner or operator engages directly or indirectly in, selling or trading, or offering for sale or trade, psittacine birds to the public or to dealers in birds.

Psittacine birds can be brought in for medical research and Zoological parks. A maximum of two psittacine birds can be brought into the U. S. by an owner if they are in good health, if he swears upon arrival that they are not intended for sale or trade, and that no other member of his family has brought in psittacine birds in the preceding 12 months. The birds must have been in his possession for the four months preceding arrival in the U. S. except for the period occasioned by the arrival of the owner and the birds on sepa­rate conveyances. These permits can be cancelled if com­pliance of the permit is not met, or if cancellation is neces­sary in the interest of public health. Zoos and medical re­search groups can have these permits executed through bird importers and dealers.

In all instances of psittacine birds being brought into the U. S. they must appear to be in good health. They cannot be brought in if exposed to psittacosis or if they have been in contact with birds showing symptoms suggestive of psitta­cosis or with birds dying from unconfirmed causes. In these cases the birds have to be destroyed, except if the owner wishes to export them; and this has to be done in a reason­able length of time and with the permission of the medical doctor in charge. Port of entry expenses are borne by the owner.

As the author of this book, I hope to see more of the U.S. Public take up the absorbing hobby of bird keeping and breeding, whether for pleasure or profit.

Under the strains of daily life, we all need to escape into a little world of our own making, where tension and strife are forgotten during the time we spend with an en­grossing hobby.

Bird keeping and breeding supplies this need for relaxa­tion from daily irritations, and adds interest to the art of living and enjoying life.