* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #219 Date: Sunday 30th November 2003 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com www.alan-watson.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================   1. Editor’s Message   2. Magic Circle Announces Award Winners   3. Former Employee Is Selling Stolen Books   4. Tony & Juleen Laffan’s Great News   5. Lance Burton Show Times   6. MARTINKA.COM Auction Begins December 1st   7. Allen Miller Of Charlottesville Passed Away   8. Call For Your Participation In Blog-Frenzied Chatdom   9. Viking/Collectors' Workshop Looking For Representation In Australia   10. Australian Magic Convention Update   11. Update From Paul Romhany   12. The Appearing Barbeque Sauce - By: Jamie-G   13. Special Holiday Season Gift Collection For Magicians   14. -Magic In Rhyme-   15. Alton Sharpe Honored Guest - Collector's Meeting Kansas City   16. Bargains On eBay   17. The Amazing Orchante Saga   18. e-zine archives   19. Subscription Management ------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson – The Magic One It’s hard to believe that the World Festival of Magic has been touring New Zealand on a yearly basis for the last 15 years. Gene McCarthy (show promoter) has brought out many world reknown magicians/entertainers to support Chuck Jones & Company (US). This year Chuck had an exciting array of new illusions and his support acts were Christof! from Melbourne Australia - who was a very funny clown - great audience response. And for the third time Skip Banks the Balloon Man (USA) once again delighted the audiences. ---------------------------------- 27th New Zealand International Magicians Convention Update Message from Mick Peck Shore City Magicians Club President Registration: Registration and Competition Entry Forms have now been sent to New Zealand Magic Club Secretaries and will be available at your next club meeting. Forms are also available at the convention website if you wish to print yourself off a copy. Our Venue: The four and a half star rated Spencer on Byron stands tall as the North Shore's premier hotel. 249 business class suites, 24 hour room service, laundry services, valet parking and landscaped gardens. Leisure facilities include heated lap pool, spa pool, pétanque court, all-weather tennis court and gym. Onsite dining and bars include The Bowl and Racquet Bar, The Library Bar and The Dining Room. The Spencer on Byron is an excellent venue choice for the NZ Convention, featuring superb space for lectures, breakout rooms for close-up, a huge Dealers Den, valet parking facilities for guests and all at an awesome central location. An interactive, realtime webcam positioned on the roof of the Spencer on Byron Hotel can be accessed at: www.spencerbyron.co.nz/webcam.html Reminder: Michael Ammar Super Session - 4th of June, 7:30pm: An intimate private lecture and teaching session available to a small number only. Positions are filling - register now to secure your place as this will be a fantastic night for those attending. 27th New Zealand International Magicians Convention Queen's Birthday Weekend - 4, 5, 6, 7th June 2004 Takapuna, Auckland. www.aucklandmagician.com/convention/ ---------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. Magic Circle Announces Award Winners ----------------- Message from David Beckley, MIMC Press Officer, The Magic Circle The Magic Circle Awards Banquet is the principal social function in the Society’s calendar and provides the opportunity of recognising those who have made distinguished contributions to the art of magic. This year the following awards were presented: The Cecil Lyle Award for the best trick published in The Magic Circular during the past year: Scott Penrose. The Magic Circle Close-Up Magician of the Year: Michael Vincent. The J N Maskelyne Award for Literature: Arthur Setterington. The Carlton Award for Comedy: Bertie Pearce. ‘The Maskelyne’ for services to British magic: Michael Bailey. ‘The David Devant’ for significant contribution in advancing the art of magic internationally: Mark & Nani Darnell Wilson. ----------------- 3. Former Employee Is Selling Stolen Books ----------------- Message from Michael Canick (US) Dear Magic Friends: I am sending you this message, at the suggestion of the New York City Police Department, to inform you of an unfortunate situation that may affect you personally. As many of you know, I value my integrity, both personally and professionally. It was especially upsetting, therefore, to find that a former employee of mine is selling books that I believe were stolen from my store on various Internet sites (including but not limited to eBay and Magic Café). This former employee, whose name I have been advised not to divulge at this time, has used at least four different e-mail addresses or seller aliases. The police recommended that I warn members of my mailing list and the magic community at large that you may be purchasing stolen merchandise if you buy these books. In addition, the police said that it would be helpful to ask you to provide any information you may have about this situation. A computer professional who examined my system noted that it was possible this former employee could have taken contact information that would permit him to get in touch with my customers, but we found no proof that he has done so. If any former employee contacts you by phone, mail or e-mail, please understand that he has obtained your contact information without permission and does not in any way represent my firm. (Let me assure you, however, that credit card information is retained off the computer and therefore should not be at risk.) Our investigation -- which continues -- has confirmed my belief that the following items/books are among those that were stolen: Findlay, J.B.. Travels of Testot Conjuring at the Fair (original print from the rare bound volume of the Annals of Conjuring) Carroll, Lewis. Sylvie and Bruno (in a unique binding) Marlo, Ed. Marlo in Spades Marlo, Ed. Off the Top Tyler, Diamond Jim. Precious Gems - Diamond Jim's Lecture Book Flash Paper Tips Moden, Anders. Healed & Sealed Soda Two small recent replicas of Victorian card & conjuring books Roth, David. Lecture Notes Branch, Justin. Cards in Confidence (with gaffs) Gagnon, Tom. Radical Rebound (Stars of Magic) James, Wesley. Pasteboard Perpensions Schwartzman, Howard. Lecture Notes Carpenter, Jack. Expert's Portfolio Dodson, Goodlette. Exhibition Card Fans Harris, Paul. PH Reveals Some of His Most Intimate Secrets. Leech, Al. Cardmanship Mendoza, John. The Excellence of Dan Fleshman Minch, Stephen. Larry Jennings Neoclassics Racherbaumer, Jon. Artful Dodges of Eddie Fields York, Scotty. Decennial Prelection. Inscribed Busby, Jeff. Larry Jennings on Card and Coin Handling Despite these challenges, I intend to issue a spectacular holiday catalog early next week. I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving. Sincerely, Michael Michael Canick Booksellers, L.L.C. 200 East 82nd Street, #3B New York, NY 10028 E-Mail: canick@panix.com ----------------- 4. Tony & Juleen Laffan’s Great News ----------------- Message from Tony Laffan (Aust) Just wanted to let everyone know of our latest exciting news and the change ahead for us. Juleen is now 3 months pregnant (14 weeks). The blood tests and ultrasounds have come back with positive results and the baby is due towards the end of May 2004. Really a piece of Magic indeed! The other news we have for everyone is that our contract at Wonderland Sydney has now come to an end at the end of January 2004. After four years and over 2000 shows it is time for us to move on and peruse other work elsewhere. It has been an exciting time there with some great opportunities working 7 days a week with a cast of great dancers and crew, especially over the past 12 months working with a Tiger in the show daily. We look forward to our exciting future ahead and will keep you up to date as the following year unfolds. With no bookings or contract beyond Jan 2004 as yet, if you hear of any venues looking for an Australian illusionist, then feel free to pass on our details!!! Visit the all new web site www.TonyLaffan.com ----------------- 5. Lance Burton Show Times ----------------- Message from Wayne Bernath "Lance Burton: Master Magician" will have an added show at 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28th, Dec. 2-6 is 7 p.m. Tues.-Sat. with 10 p.m. shows on. Tues. & Sat. Dark Dec. 7-11 & 15-25 - "Lance Burton's Magic & Comedy All-Stars" at 8 p.m. Dec. 12-14; Dec. 26 thru 30 is 7 & 10 p.m. shows for holidays New Year's Eve 7 p.m. only Wed. Dec. 31 Thru Fri. Jan. 2 is 7 p.m. only; Saturday, Jan. 3 at 7 & 10 p.m. Tues. Jan 6 is 7 & 10; 9 p.m. Jan. 7-9 for CES ----------------- 6. MARTINKA.COM Auction Begins December 1st ----------------- Message from Ted Bogusta Martinka & Co. is running their 11th online auction of vintage and modern magic at www.martinka.com. The sale will run from December 1st - 7th and it will include over 250 lots of apparatus and paper. You'll find tricks from Thayer, P&L, Martinka, Anverdi, Milson Worth, Early Tenyo and others. Among the other items listed so far are: * A great selection of 8X10 photos * Vintage Christmas cards from some of the Greats * Dozens of magic posters both vintage and modern * Many desirable books including some rare ones * A magic automaton * Some original Houdini items * and more coming in daily! Some of the material was found in the storage area of the old Martinka Shop and many other items have been received as consignments. There are items in all price ranges and many items will be sold without reserve. In some cases the reserve has been set to a fraction of the items true value, so there are some bargains to be had! Even more lots will be added during the auction week, so check in often. You can view everything and find out how to register by visiting WWW.MARTINKA.COM. The auction will end on December 7th, 2003. PS: We are now accepting consignments for our March 8th Auction which will be our largest to date. If you have an item or group of items that you would like us to include, please contact me as soon as possible for details. There's also the possibility that we could picture your item in our upcoming Genii and MAGIC ads for additional exposure. Ted ----------------- 7. Allen Miller Of Charlottesville Passed Away ----------------- Message from Mary Millar This is Allen Miller's wife (Mary) and children (Edward and Sarah), sending you this message to let you know about the sad news. This is to let you know that Allen Miller of Charlottesville, VA; who performed magic as Dr Magic, passed away on Oct 16, 2003. He had a fatal heart attack. His son, Edward, is also into doing magic shows and interested in learning as much as he can about it. ----------------- 8. Call For Your Participation In Blog-Frenzied Chatdom ----------------- Message from Jon Racherbaumer Although I “gas” quite a bit in the vaporous precincts of cyberspace, I’ve finally put MY Blog “bughouse square” on the free area of my Website (http://www.JonRacherbaumer.com). If YOU wish to participate you can contribute your own “voice” by messaging to VoxSite@aol.com. The primary rationale for doing a SEMI-PRIVATE Blog is to permit much longer and hopefully more reasoned and articulate posts regarding lots of things tangential but relevant to magic, including tricks. Moreover, it will be less policed, censorious, or politically correct. Otherwise, I will continue to have my measured, modest say in my books, column (“On the Slant”) or in the popular Genii Forum. Onward… …and thanks… Hope to see you in the Matrix… JR ----------------- 9. Viking/Collectors' Workshop Looking For Representation In Australia ----------------- Message from George Robinson Jr. "We (Viking/Collectors' Workshop) have been getting many calls and e-mails from magicians in Australia looking for our products. We at Viking would like to have a 'real' representation in Australia with a dealer/representative that is interested in handling a good portion of our goods there. Any current Magic dealer in Australia is invited to submit his application for review. We will give you a liberal discount to help with the high freight charges so that you can offer our goods at reasonable prices. Contact us at: dealerinfo@vikingmagic.com Only well established responsible dealers need apply. We are looking for someone that does not discount and does not trade in rip-offs or copies of original effects". Thank you for choosing Viking Mfg. and Collectors' Workshop in your quest for the finest in Magic. George Robinson Jr. george@vikingmagic.com www.vikingmagic.com If you would like to receive our e-newsletter once a month and take advantage of our monthly specials and updates send your e-mail address to us and we'll do the rest: newsletter@vikingmagic.com ----------------- 10. Australian Magic Convention Update ----------------- Message from Tim Ellis Convention Co-ordinator Henry Evans Aldo Colombini Norbert Ferre Lee Eun-Gyeol All World Champion Magicians and all guests at the upcoming 29th Australian Convention of Magicians. But what are they up to right now? ---------------------------------- HENRY EVANS has just been announced as a guest at MagiFest in Colombus, Ohio, USA (Feb 5-7 2004) and you'll be able to see how he goes at MagiFest here: http://www.magifest.org/index.htm Parts of the MagiFest website are still under construction, but it's interesting seeing what some of our guests get up to on their way to visit us! *g* You can also see a picture of another of our guests ALDO COLOMBINI performing at the 2003 MagiFest here: http://www.magifest.org/photos.htm ------------------------------------------------------------ What's NORBERT FERRE up to? We found this report on a website http://lescarboucle.free.fr/norbert-ferre.htm (It's in French) but a rough translation says of Norbert: "I knew only of his name. I must say, I am still in shock. This man is extraterrestrial; he is only 26 years old and he can do everything!" You will be in shock too when you see Norbert's magic. (Though you'll be in a different kind of shock if you don't register for the Convention in time and miss out!) Here is the link to Google's poor attempt at translating the page into English http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://lescar boucle.free.fr/norbertferre.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dnorbert%2Bferr e%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8 Also in French is another web interview with another of our World Champion Guests LEE EUN-GYEOL. This interview was conducted after he won the prestigious French Award 'Mandrakes d'or 2003' www.planetmagie.com/pages/20GillesArthur/Interviews/IntervEunGy eolLee.htm Even if you can't translate it from the French, you can see some great pics of Lee in action. Once again, another sensational act you won't want to miss. Here is a link to Google's attempt at translating the interview from French to English http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www. planetmagie.com/pages/20GillesArthur/Interviews/IntervEunGyeolLee. htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlee%2Beun%2Bgyeol%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3 DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8 ------------------------------------------------------ Keep up to date with Convention News at our webpage here: http://www4.tpgi.com.au/users/katzkin/AustralianConvention.htm And you can even register now using our Web Registration Form! http://www4.tpgi.com.au/users/katzkin/29thConventionForm.htm See you in June!!!!!! As registrants who have reserved their space at the 29th Australian Convention of Magicians are starting to send their registration money in, we have made two new additions to the Convention Webpage http://www4.tpgi.com.au/users/katzkin/AustralianConvention.htm : 1 - BANQUET SEATING - As your registration comes in, we'll allocate you a table for the Sunday night Banquet. If you'd rather sit at a different table, simply email or phone us and we'll try to rearrange things so that everyone is 100% comfortable on the night. 2 - REGISTRATION COMPETITION - When you fill in your registration form and tell us where you got your form from, you're helping your favourite Magic Shop or Magic Club to win the Registration Competition. The Club or Shop that signs up the most registrants will win a free registration (worth $250) and a free Dealers Table (worth $50). Whoever wins the competition can use the prize in any way they like: Give it away, raffle it off, or use it themselves. Will your favourite club or shop be the winner? Keep checking the Registration Competition page for regular updates! (PS: Happy 60th Birthday to BARRY GOVAN for December 1!) ----------------- 11. Update From Paul Romhany ----------------- Message from Paul Romhany (NZ) Over the past few months I've been busy on and off cruise ships which has been really nice. I'm now trying to get a balance of life on land and at sea. I have just finished working on the STAR Princess which is the Grand Class and she will be in New Zealand and Australia over the next few months. If you are in town GO AND SEE HER!!! I know they are using a lot of Australian acts including Rex and Wendy Allison (fantastic juggling act) during the NZ/Ozzy season. She is a huge ship and absolutely stunning. I am flying out tomorrow from Vancouver to join the ship for 4 days in Sydney, and then fly back here to Vancouver .. what a journey! But that's the life of a cruise ship magician. Over twenty hours of flying to do 3 shows then back again! Got to add those air points up. I am enjoying the shorter contracts because I only pack one show .. which is my Charlie Chaplin Act and have only one case .. so much easier to travel. For those interested I have updated my website at www.comic.co.nz and there are some video shots of my Chaplin act. I have some exciting news about some magic products coming up and will let e-zine members know first. Hope to have it all out in a few weeks, stay tuned. ----------------- 12. The Appearing Barbeque Sauce - By: Jamie-G ----------------- Message from Jamie-G EFFECT: The magician is tells a child to look in his hand, there is nothing in it. The magician says watch very close, the magician say loud 1..2...3...Puts his hands together and blows on his hands. When he opens his hands there is a McDonald’s barbeque sauce in his hand. The magician than closes his hand with the sauce still in it this time the magician goes into his pocket and pulls out a pocket wand, the magician than waves the wand over this hand and know when he opens his hand the sauce magically turned into a plastic coin. The magician than gives the coin to the child and all is well. PROPS: You can use a sauce package from any were but I like to use the McDonalds one because they are big and square and easy to palm, and you need to find fake plastic coins found at most toy stores. Some times I get lucky and find these plastic coins at the all famous dollar store. METHOD: First of all you all ready have the sauce package palmed in your right hand (you just never call attention to his hand)you show the left hand from the palm side than turn the left hand and show the back of the hand than turn the hand palm up again. You can take the pointer finger of the right hand and rub each side of the left hand as you are showing it. (This makes it appear that the right hand is empty and to a small child they are not thinking that some is in your right hand unless you give it up for example you look at your right hand or if you exposed the gimmick.) Now at this point you bring your hands together and blow on both hands and when you open your hands just leave the sauce in the left hand. At this point place the sauce in your right hand as you are still showing it, and now you going to do a fake transfer to the left hand. (You are going to make it look like you are putting the sauce back in your left hand but you are really holding back the sauce in your right hand.)YOU MUST REMEMBER TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU ARE STILL HOLDING THE SAUCE IN YOUR LEFT HAND. Also look at your left hand when you do the fake exchange because the child will follow your eyes and look were you look this is very important. Know once you are at this point you say know I'm going to use my wand, when you reach into your pocket ditch the sauce and pick up the plastic coin as you are taking your pocket wand out. I usually have the plastic coin in a thumb pinch and when you pull the pocket wand out your hand is pointing down ward so there is no way of seeing the coin.(from this point you can go into different methods.) METHOD #1: you can wave the wand over your left hand and than place the wand threw the hand and come out the other side and transfer the plastic coin like that. I don't use this method that much for this effect but I still have done it this way. METHOD #2: This is a better way of doing it because it gets the child more involved in the magic. Once you are at the point of were you just took out your pocket wand (with your hand towards the ground) the coin is in thumb palm you give the pocket wand to the child. This way there they get to wave the wand around your hand and the think that they did the magic and when you give the coin to keep it makes this effect much stronger. When the child takes the wand from your right hand your hand is towards the ground so the won't see the coin in finger palm just place your hands together let the child wave and tap and when you open your hand just leave the coin in the left hand. NOTE: I can not explain the look on the child's face when they see that barbeque package turn into a plastic coin and that they did it all there own very, VERY, strong. All so you must remember that this is two effects in one first you make the sauce magically appear and than by the Childs magic changes it in to a coin. REAL TIME: You can use any type of sauce you want also you don't have to use a plastic coin you can use a real one I just think the plastic one's are neat and you get a bunch of them for like two dollars. Also you don't need a pocket wand you can use magic dust a real big coin like a 50 cent piece or just about any thing you can think of. ----------------- 13. Special Holiday Season Gift Collection For Magicians ----------------- 1. Personalized greeting cards and note cards for magicians, 2. Special holiday season ornaments for magicians and collectors, 3. Houdini & Okito Gift Sweatshirts & Tshirts From The Conjuring Lights Holiday Gift Collection 1. Professional magicians, amateurs, and collectors will be interested in the new series of personalized note cards and greeting cards from Conjuring Lights. Featuring classical magicians' portraits from the Conjuring Lights archive, and scenes from magic history, these can be fully personalized for use as Holiday Greeting Cards or year-round Personal Note cards. Personalized cards normally ship on the 2nd business day after receipt of order (but please order promptly at this time of year), and Conjuring Lights ships world wide. Offered in 3 series, including a Signature Series and the Bright Lights of Conjuring series which will change approximately every 3 to 6 weeks, with the intention of offering over time 80 or more of history's greatest magicians which will constitute a collectible archive of magicians' portraits. 2. A special series of Holiday Season ornaments will be of interest to magicians and collectors. This Special Holiday Season collection features what is perhaps the most famous levitation in the history of magic -- The Levitation of the Princess Karnac -- and the famous illusionists who performed it -- Harry Kellar, Howard Thurston, and Harry Blackstone, in a series of fine porcelain medallions which can be hung from the tree as holiday ornaments during the holiday season, and displayed in a frame year-round. 3. A holiday gift collection of magician Tshirts and sweatshirts features Harry Houdini, and a "His and Hers" edition featuring Okito on one, and a totally unique reproduction of the actual Okito kimono breastplate frontispiece, a brilliantly colored Oriental design, from the Conjuring Lights archive on the other. It is hoped to time the introduction of this special Holiday Collection with the appearance of this edition of the New Zealand ezine, to afford Magic New Zealand readers early opportunity to choose from the widest selection. (Availability is limited for many of the items in the Holiday Collection). Congratulations Alan, on producing a great ezine year-round! Visit ConjuringLights.com and go to the Gift Shop, or click on this link to be taken directly to the ConjuringLights GiftShop: http://www.conjuringlights.com/mail/link.php?id=CLGiftShop (Feel free to write with any questions, or if there is any problem with the link -- or just to say hello!) Happy Holidays to all. Archivist@ConjuringLights.com ----------------- 14. -Magic In Rhyme- ----------------- ANNOUNCING A NEW BOOK Great New Item for Christmas! -MAGIC IN RHYME- A Magician's Anthology of Poems, Verses and Limericks With Commentary by William V. Rauscher Bill Rauscher has compiled a volume with 100's of verses written by more than 100 authors featuring magic and magicians in both serious, humorous, light hearted poems and limericks. This attractive book is a pleasing, refreshing, serious, funny and touching anthology for the magic fraternity. In the book are many photos and illustrations and the poems are complimented by introductions and commentary. You are invited to enter the magical minds of such notables as Theo Bamberg, Silent Mora, Can Waldron, Herman Weber, Frances Willard, Dorny, Micky Hades, Karrell Fox, Willard Smith, Harry Opel, Rudy Vida, Saram Ellison, Lance Pierce, Henry R. Evans, MarcoM, Houdini and so many others. Published by 1878 Press Company- David E. Haversat, Publisher 27 East Street Oxford, Connecticut 06478 8 ½ by 11 Color Cover Featuring a Lithograph from the Norm Nielsen Collection 240 Pages!, premium paper, Numerous Photos & Illustrations Retail $25.00 Shipping & Handling $3.50 (U.S.) Sales and Distribution Tel: (203) 888-2142 (203) 888- 7911 Email: dhaversat@snet.net ----------------- 15. Alton Sharpe Honored Guest - Collector's Meeting Kansas City ----------------- Message from Ed Prendergast Alton Sharpe of Laguna Hills, California will be the honored guest at the next Collector's Meeting in Kansas City in May 2004 ----------------- 16. Bargains On eBay ----------------- Message from Ben Robinson (US) Just in time for the holidays, we at illusiongenius.com have put on some interesting bargains on eBay. Robinson’s Revolutionary Ring — a new concept in sleight of hand, only 6 available. You receive a sterling silver ring and a DVD teaching how to use this amazing little prop that will replace thimbles as a standard item in the manipulator‘s repertoire. $49.99. So far, 3 are bid on, with three left. Good luck! Ben Robinson on Synchronicity — a journey into the heart of amazing coincidences that is 63 minutes on this compact disc. 10 years of work related through 30 stories. Interviewed and introduced by Dr. Joanne McMahon. We have ten on the auction at $15 each which is a savings of 25% ff the website price. Ben Robinson Live @ Kafe Atmosphere. A 47-minute DVD of Ben’s show at Kafe AtmoZphere just this past May. With special insert sections this DVD TV special showcases all the routines Ben is known for. We have sold these to buyers in France, Switzerland, England, Canada, Italy, Malta and Holland and all agree there is more magic here than in some big touring shows. We have 10 for sale. $15.99 each. Also a savings off the normal website price. We are sending you this email because you are a loyal friend of our website. All of these make great stocking stuffers for the special magician or magical enthusiast. We will not be posting these staples of Ben’s career again this year. There will also be a few surprises, as we are clearing out some old magic..check out our other sales! Best holiday wishes, The sprites, elves and little people at www.illusiongenius.com ----------------- 17. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 25 Back on page 21, I managed to sidetrack myself (you may have noticed that I have a tendency to do this at times), re our cockatoos. I thought that I might ruffle the feathers again, and try to wrap it up – the story that is. If you remember, we had the sulphur-crested cockatoo, ‘B B B’ – ‘Big Bastard Bird’, then there was ‘Little Bird’, more commonly known as a Little, or Short Billed Corella. Then ‘Beauregarde’ joined our family. He was a ‘Long Billed’ Corella, also known as the ‘Slender Billed’ cockatoo and the ‘Dampier’ cockatoo. In the wild, Long Billed corellas have a ‘sentinel’ warning system like that of the Sulphur-crested cockatoos. While the main flock is feeding on the ground, a few birds remain in the trees above, on the lookout for danger. Now that is intelligence! This wacky looking cockatoo (because of their long curving beak), makes a wonderful pet, being docile, intelligent, and amusing, and is perhaps the best talker among Australian parrots. It has one exasperating fault, as we quickly discovered – they are extremely destructive to woodwork. Most parrots and cockatoos are, but this particular species, including the ‘Short Billed’ cockatoo, are bloody demons; I was forever patching and rebuilding windowsills that had been chewed to pieces! I must have spent a small fortune on wood putty etc. Aaaah, the things we put up with for the love of our ‘kids’, which, I suppose, they were. Somewhere along the line, we ‘acquired’ another Sulphur Crested cockatoo, whose name escapes me now; then along came ‘Jackie’; he was a ‘Galah’. Also known as the ‘Roseate’ or ‘Rose-breasted’ cockatoo. As with ‘Little Bird’, Jackie was just a baby - a tiny bundle of fluff when we bought him. Veronica played ‘mother’ and handfed him, with a specially formulated mushy mix for very young birds. It was, by necessity, a dedicated job - feeding time around every three hours! I have some wonderful video footage of Veronica feeding Jackie, taken with my semi-professional betamax video camera. (Stolen - because of a burglary, another story I will relate sometime). Apart from budgerigars, Galahs are probably the most common bird seen in the Australian wilds. They are very distinctive with their back, wings, rump, face, and under tail-feathers grey, contrasting strongly with their cheeks, throat, breast, and all of the under-parts – which are a gorgeous, deep rose-red. When you see a huge flock of them flying, as we often did while travelling to various gigs out in the country, it was quite a dazzling sight, watching as they twisted and turned - performing their aerial acrobatics. Unfortunately, farmers consider them a pest, trapping and shooting them in the thousands - protecting their crops, which the birds delight in feeding on. I can understand the farmer’s dilemma, but it was still heartbreaking to watch, whenever the TV news broadcast it during the season. Galahs are fun-loving birds, and get up to some crazy antics, both in the wild and as pets. One of their favourite ‘tricks’ is to sit on power and telephone lines and, while gripping the line with their claws, rapidly turn continuous summersaults. Power lines, are a particularly dangerous spot to ‘play’ this amusing game. It often results in an electrifying and shocking finale! Australians have a common saying when referring to somebody who has done something stupid or silly: “…Bloody stupid Galah”! ‘Tutu’ was our next acquisition. He was a ‘Peach Face’, African Love Bird. Although not an Australian species, they are, non-the less, a very popular bird/pet in that country. He also, was handfed. Although only a tiny bird, Tutu feared nothing, no matter the size, and he had one hell of a powerful bite! They have the shocking habit of biting the feet off other birds! And they rarely miss! Tutu would take on anything that came near him, including the dogs. We had a toy poodle, ‘Misky’, and ‘Shannon’ a standard poodle; she was huge. That didn’t stop Tutu from taking swipes at her as she walked past. In fact, Shannon would deliberately take pretend bites at Tutu, just for fun; if she’d wanted, she could have swallowed Tutu down in a flash, and the bird would not have touched the sides on the way down. Did that stop him, did it hell! As far as Tutu was concerned, the bigger they were, the harder he would bite, and the harder they’ d fall! Then we had two Siamese cats, well one to start with - ‘Sheba’, then much later on, her son ‘Spook-Easy’ joined the family. Must tell you how Sheba came into our lives. Back in ‘The Good Old Days’, one of my best mates was Robert Gennari. As you have no doubt guessed from his surname, Robert is Italian, and he became one of New Zealand’s most popular singers. (Oh No, is this another diversion coming up? Afraid so.) - CONTINUES - ------------------ 18. Magic New Zealand e-zine archives ------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: magic Password: kiwi When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999) ------------------- 19. Subscription Management ------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand e-zine: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Magic New Zealand e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday. The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors and not those of Magic New Zealand. Neither Magic New Zealand or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand e-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree that they will not hold Magic New Zealand and or Alan Watson liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed herein. 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