makes you wonder how these people were brought up. cutting rings off young birds, needless killing of birds on allotments in liverpool and here in scotland stealing birds from a successful fancier, you sometimes ask youself why do we bother. pete the fact the bird has arrived in good condition after 3 weeks would lead me to think that some gutless bast**d has had him in liked the look of him and cut the ring off to hide his identity, maybe tried to break him in the hope of breeding from him. ask you club if you can send him as a trainer and see how he comes for you. all the best of luck to you.