Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-03
Chat About Feathers.

1t has been observed that love for
feathers is amongst the prettiest vanities,
the daintiest whims of men and women
From a strictly philosophical and grimly
utIlitarian point of view, it may be con
sidered exceedingly absurd to rob poor
bird of his clothes, and use them as ad-
ditional adornments to our own attire
But fashion, both In savage and civilized
circles, enfOrces strange vagaries. The
aboriginal races of North and South
America, Africa, the islands of the Paci-
tic and Indian Archipelagos, gloried in
their feather plumes and coronets, long
before our European bellies increased COM
merce so largely in this direction. The
iaunty hat, which has been now so long
worn by young ladies, has given great
impetus to every novelty in the shape of
feathers for decorating it, and it is strange
how persistent this fashion has been,
having now lasted more than ten years.
First, the pheasant plume was introduced
as an ornament for hats; then followed
the ptarmigan, peacock, .trogon, impeyan,
and argus pheasants, ibis, heron, sea -gull,
black cock, and owl, and now almost
every variety of plumage may be seen in
the hats of ladies and children.
Peacock feathers are obtained in many
of the collectorates of the Madras Presi-
dency, the gorgeous plumage being shed
every year. Fly-1appers or tanning
brushes are made of them in India. They
were at one time employed in Canton for
making variegated threads, which were
used in forming beautiful capes for
females. Permission to wear the pea
cocks feather in the hat in China is, like
the European orders, only granted by
special permission of the sovereign
Chowries, or large fans, made of the
quilts split, are sold in Madras as hi Oh as
four pounds each. Peacock feathers are
employed to some small extent for parures
in France. Except, perhaps, the pea
cock, the pheasant has the most beautiful
and finely variegated plumage The fea-
theirs of the gold and silver pheasants are
much used for making artificial flies for
anglers, and ornamental work generally
The whole plumage of the argus pleas
ant has been lately handsomely mounted
as fire screen.
The birds Of Paradise, distinguished for
their splendor and elegance, are used for
ornamenting turbans in the East, as we'll
as for hats and head-dresses by European
ladies. The genus ParadiseG is chiefly re-
stricted to New Guinea, and the small
islands in its vicinity. From Batavia,
500 or 1900 reach Europe annually.
The most elegant in it's plumage is the
great bird of Paradise (P apoda),
the back part of the neck being of
a pale gold color, the throat and fore part
Of the richest changeable golden green,
the breast of a deep purple, and the body
and tail of fine dark chestnut. The hen
birds are the most esteemed, being bright
er fin tint; the body-feathers, which are
yellowish, are partially dyed to enhance
the color
The most splendid bird Of tropical
America is the 1aogo7a U,radis or spIendens
Aside from the brilliant metallic splendor
Of its plumage and the gracefulness of
its form, there is peculiar interest con-
nected with this magnificent bird. The
long, slender, gilded feathers of the tail
coverts were allowed only to be worn by
the royal family of the Incas. The Incas
with all their gorgeous magnificence
have passed away, and the race of the red
men which venerated them is fast follow
ing, but the bird whose plumes decked
their diadems shines brilliant as ever.
Eagles wings and tails fetch high price
in the Kurile Islands, being bought by
the Russians. The feathers are used by
the Japanese for their arrows. Eagles
are plentiful in Kamtchatka. The brown
and chocolate colored wing and tail
feathers of the golden eagle are used in
bonnets of the Scotch clans, and by Zulu
chiefs in southeast Africa. The aborigi-
mes of North America also use the tail
feathers Of the golden eagle for head or
naments. The magnificent feathers of
the great condor, which are often eighteen
inches long by four or five broad, are
worn by ladies.
Herons' feathers are symbol of rank
in Turkey. The Sultan wears three in
his turban, the Grand ViZier two, and the
other public officers one. The herons as
q whole are the most beautiful of all the