The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-07
HUNTING THE EGRET
Experiences of Charles II. on
South American Rivers.

Experiences of Charles H. Mohrmann on
South American Rivera.
Nearly six feet high. very dark from the burn
ing of a tropical sun. but sinewy and strong in
appearance. was Charles II. Mohrmann a few
days ago as he related his story Of the hunting
Of the egret in South America. At first glance
he would be taken for an officer in the Spanish
or Cuban Army who had been exposed to the
elements in q campaign. He started in his
present career from the feather and hat district
OF New York city. in an endeavor to reach the
source OF supply Of this most valuable millinery
decorative lnery. In his quest he hunted
through Mexico and Central America. only to
find that the game was pretty much hunted
out in those countries. and travelled on into
Venezuela before he found the birds in
rooKerIes. for 1t is in a gathering Of this kind
on ly that they can be shot with profit. These
rookeries may be sought for years without
success.
The danger. the hunter explained. is not
great. being principally from snakes. scorpions
and centipedes. There is a popular error. he
says. about alligators being ferocious. He says
he has frequently waded out into a shallow
stream crowded with them, and armed only
with, a stick; he has shouted, at them and
dubbed them over the nose. when they would
get out OF the way as fast as they could. The
danger when one gets into a school Of alligators
is that they will not move out Of the way until
shot at, and then, In their scramble they may
hit a side OF the boat with the tail and splinter
it; A wetting and loss Of prToyisions follow.
p pr Riched III in a ash SINAI ali launch launch, The i birds 9r ro Sst
in high trees standing in water. The hunter
and then shoots from daylight until dark: A
fowling piece Is the weapon used. The bird
falls near the canoe and il, picked up by the
gators are very fond Of dogs. These rooke aitss
contain from 10000 to 10000 birds. about Is
per cent. of which may be taken. as. only the old
birds are shot. and then not, until the young
ones are able to take care OF themselves. which
THE season varies. In Central America and
best time is in March. April, and May. After
Orinoco the season IL from about Sept. l to
Jan. ]. There are big rookeries on Aprene, a
are now on that river and have made consider
able money, Rookeries are on big cattle ranches.
2T priSile By D cdsts a ESH SS'6S AND F IS per them eent.
$125. The feathers for which they are hunted
stubby tail. About 5000 ounces were shipped
from the Aprene region TO New York last year.
The amounts shipped to Paris and london are
larger. but ne figures are not obtainaRle.
other tributaries OF the Orinoco which have not
been approached because the launches draw
thirty.eight to forty-eight inches OF water: In
the dry season there Is only twenty-four inches
of water.
sorted into grades /. 2 and 8. are dried and
Theoretically sealed In tin boxes for shipment.
the English Army for officers helmets. Mr..
Mohrmann has been a hunter for three years.
He reconciles his conscience TO the slaughter
by the fact that the bird feeds on fishes. OF
which they destroy millions annually. thus in
healthy la that country he says one has to eat
fruit moderately. neither under nor over ripe.
take one drink OF suRarcane rum In water
daily and O little quinine occasionally.