Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-09
SLAUGHTER OF BIRDS
SENTIMENT AGAINST KILLING
FOR TRADE PURPOSES.
Profits in the Plumage Of Paroquets,
Fisher Martins and White
Reconsideration Feathers.
From the New York Times.


throughout all countries Of the question OF
bird destruction for the purpose OF obtain
ing the plumage. Recently in the chamber
of deputies Of France the bill of M. du
Perier de Larsan relative to the protection
Of birds was put on the urgency list, and
now that an international agreement seems
to have been reached. it is believed that
measures which will be passed in the near
future will give the feather industry a Sc
we're blow.
In point Of fact 1t may be generally stated
that there are no birds which are not found
today in the hands of the manufacturers,
utilized either for their feathers or for
their down. Whereas the republics of South
America have for ten years carefully regu-
lated the hunting Of humming birds, 1t Is
an interesting fact to note that there are
annually sold in the markets OF London
more than 100000 little birds. in one SIN
gle season there having been sold in this
mart 10000 humming birds, 25.OOO paro-
quets. 1900 fisher martins. and 10000 white
herons. An idea may be given of the great
profits to be derived from this trade wnen
it is stated that two pounds of. aigrettes
bring on an average in London from $50
to $50. but these same aigrettes are resoid
for about $500, this price being obtained
for the inferior qualities. the superior bring
ing $50 an ounce. or $1,000 for two pounds.
Northern Birds.
The feathers Of birds are not alone OBJ
tanned from tropical countries, for in all
countries extensive use is made Of the
p1umage Of sea gulls. cartridges. pheasants,
cocks, ravens, magpies. jays. owls, and of
vast quantities Of farm-yard birds and
sparrows. When this process of eXterm1na-
ton is carried on against birds of the de-
structive classes. such as magpies and jays,
wifi {p to fy1o hon off oy1d
but when the fact is very evident that the
air poachers not only take these former,
but they also kill the robins, titmouse and
other birds which have useful function to
fulfill in the domain Of agriculture.
AS the trade in the plumage Of birds has
made enormous strides, and as both ex-
travagant and economical forms of luxury
are constantly on the increase there has
been a corresponding development in the
cleverness with which the feathers are dyed
and treated. Thus there is little difficulty
experienced today in Transforming a modest
redstart into a superb feathered creature
from the West Indies, Paris having been
for many years the chief emporium for the
manufacture and transformation Of this
article Of adornment. This supremacy the
French capital is in great danger of los
ing. as the English, favored by extensive
home consumption, and aided by the skill
Of imported workmen, have made great
progress in preparing feathers and down
for the market. The same may be said
for Germany. which country exports annu-
ally more than $5,O00,O00 worth Of feathers
Treating the Feathers.
Frequently the feathers when they reach
the manufacturer are dirty and stained; the
first work therefore is to clean them thor
oughly. To do this they are placed for
several days in tepid, soapy water, after
which they are rinsed in hot water, and are
then Immersed for quarter of an hour
In boiling water, in which has been placed
some Spanish white or raw starch AS a
last step the feathers are put into a driving
pan for twenty-four hours, So that the rib
may become thoroughly dry
Most feathers. as many people know are
dyed. Twenty years ago black ostrich
feathers became fashionable, but as the
only feathers which were black came from
the back of the male ostrich, they were
naturally rare. Since that time however,
by diverse methods, notably by means of
oxygenated water. manufacturers have sue
ceeded in decolorfng stained as we'll as
naturally dark plumes, and making them
perfectly white. and now are able to give
them any desired shade. In former days
this result could only be obtained by using
absolutely White feathers, which was ex-
pensive. Light colors are obtained by the
use Of an1ltne dyes; deeper colors by cur
cuma. indigo, orchilla and vegetable dyes.
Black is the result Of iron, salt and log
wood. After dying the feathers this opera
ton being performed at temperatures diff
fering with the different dyes, the feath-
ers are rinsed and dried. They are then
assorted, passed through dry steam and
bent into the desired shapes.
Uses Of Birds Plumes.
The feathers of birds are not only used
for raiment. but also for the wool of GER
tain stuffs. utilization being made Of them
in the manufacture of great many do
nestle objects. One of the birds whose
feathers are put to the most diverse uses
Is the goose-the vulgar, domestic goose
the large feathers from the wings furnish
ing most excellent quilts for writing, each
year harvest Of down being obtained
and the hide. sold as swans down, fur
nishes beautiful and elegant fur. To OBJ
tain this so-called swans down the feath-
ers are first carefully pulled out, then the
goose is skinned. the hide being cut down
the back. After this the skin is put through
q process Of very delicate tanning, the result
being pretty, serviceable graniture for
dresses.