The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-17
THE BIRDS MUST COME OFF.
Women Not to BE Allowed to Wear
Plumage in New Jersey.
New York Evening Sun.

New York Evening Sun.
1t is now but a matter of a short time
When the women of New Jersey must take
the birds from their hats or suffer a term
OF Imprisonment in the common Jail or a
me OF s. for each. bird worn and for each
DAY possession of the bird.
senator Cross, of Union county. one Of
the most influential lawmakers of the One
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Legislature, at
the 0ehest of the Audubon Society, has
introduced Senate bill No. Z, which, when II
becomes a law, will prevent all women
from wearing, in New Jersey, the skeleton
OIL any bird or the plumage of any bird. I'M
der the penalty.
The measure is sweeping in it's provi-
slons. 1t is entitled IAN act for the protec-
ton Of birds and their nests and their
eggs The measure goes on to say that any
one killing "or having in possession, living
or dead, any wild bird, other than a game
bird, shall be subject to the penalty ex-
pressed in the act.
Nor shall, any one bring or sell any
such bird in this State the bill says, and
then, apparently with a determination to
reach those women who now decorate their
costly hats with the beautiful plumage of
Wild birds, the measure uses this language:
MOI shall any part of the plumage, skin
or body OF any bird protected by this act
be exposed for sale in this State. and any
person or persons having in his or their
possession any such part of the plumage,
skin or body of any such bird so protected
py TINS act, shall be guilty. and shall be
dealt with accordingly.
Ihe bill then goes on to say that the
State Game and Fish Commission NAV is
sue certificates to any properly accredited
person 10 collect birds, their nests and
eggs for strictly scientific purposes only"
OF the 100000 married and marriageable
women in the State of New Jersey a local
taxldermlst estimates that fully 300, 900 like
the pretty plumage of the wild bird as a
part of their head dress. The brownish
bobolink, which the game commission is
especially DESTROYS of protecting, and the
gentle wild dove are apparently the more
freely slaughtered TO satisfy the cravings
for natural head dress decorations among
the New Jersey DANES and bellies, accord
ing to one dealer, than any other birds of
the forests. But the lark, the blackbird.
the pretty Robin Redbreast," the top
knotted blue jay, and even the many-tinted
nummlng bird do not escape, for their
skin and their plumage may be seen bob
bing back and forth on seven out of every
dozen hats. The face and wings and claws
of the wise old owl, the tiny snowbird and
the head and beak of the Southern parrot
also may be seen. But all must go when
Senator Cross's measure shall have passed
the Legislature and the Governor appendS
his signature to Senate bill No. Z.
Another feature of the bill is that clause
which reads: Any one having in his pos
session any bird other than a wild bird
shall be subject to the penalty of the act.
The geographical position of New Jersey
is also p~uzzling the Audubon Society, which
Is backing the bill. There are scores upon
scores of trains daily running into New
Jersey from New York and Pennsylvania
and there are hundreds upon hundreds or
WOhACi ~ OliC oldlCS upon luOSt iii
These women Will insist upon decorating
their headgear with the beautiful plumage
of the blue jay, the dove, robin, bObolink
and other birds. and, of course, the instant
they cross the ferry and set foot on Jersey
soil they will be liable to go to Jail and to
be fined for having such tastes. The pro-
posed law makes no provision for the es-
tabliShment of a state cOnStabulary TO seek
ouC ana arrest these prospective invaders,
and the Game Commission is empowered
to employ but a half dozen wardens. How,
then, will these ladies be halted and the
birds taken from their hats before being
permitted to cross to New Jersey when the
Audubon SOciety's bill becomes a law?
Perhaps this feature is an oversight, and
perhaps the society will ask the Senate
on fish and game, which now
has the bill in charge. so TO amend the
measure as to make the railroad compa-
MES liable TO a fine for carrying any wom-
an passenger who wears the remains of a
bird on her hat. In this manner the rail-
read conductor could be turned into a
game warden and the State saved from an
invasion of ViOlators of the law.
When the Audubon Society'S bill becomes
a law a Jersey woman writing to a friend
inviting her to call from another State will
be obliged to add:
Up. S.-Dear Bella, you mustn't forget,
move that pretty, sweet dove from your
hat, my dear. for, you know, it's against
the law to wear it in New Jersey, and L
would much dislike to see a friend of mine
go TO jail. Lovingly, DORA"