Within an hour of an African Grey being reported as found in Leeds, the owner was traced and the bird reunited.  It was the details from the bird's closed leg ring that made it possible to trace the breeder, and subsequently, the owner.  This proves the value of positive identification as without it, the owner may never have been found.  Closed leg rings are in one piece (not split) and have to be fitted when the bird is no more than a week or two old.  Micro-chips are even better as the owner can be quickly identified once the bird is scanned and its unique ID number shown. In the September issue, now out to subscribers, there is an article explaining micro-chipping, which is not expensive and can prevent much grief and trauma.  In the shops on 18th August.