Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1912-02-15
THE TREND OF THOUGHT
IN THE AUDUBON HIGH SCHOOL

fntIuD6rS VI WIlCu nave picAScu tHcIh-
selves to use their influence against the
killing of birds for the mere adornment
of women's hats. In most cases women
are good enough looking without the
assistance of poor little innocent bird
In some instances the distinction has
been so great that certain species are
now extinct or nearlyso. In the United
States laws have been passed to protect
such birds as are likely to become the
prey of milliners agents.
One of the most important birds from
which feathers are taken is the swan, a
very graceful bird and member of the
duck family, which spends much of its
time near the water. This bird is some-
what larger than the wild goose and is
easily recognized by its long arched
neck and white plumes. 1t obtains its
food by reaching to the bottom of small
streams and shallow ponds with its long
neck. Perhaps the most typical and
the most familiar is the so called mute"
swan which often weights as much as
thirty pounds. The male birds is some
what larger than the female, but both
have snowy white plumes for what they
are noted.
The heron is bird widely distributed
over the globe, but they are especially
abundant in the tropics and the warmer
parts of the temperate zones The
varieties are many, some are known by
other names, as the egret, but all have
distinct resemblance. Some seventy
five species, are found within the limits
of the United States. The plumage of
these birds is very beautiful, but not
highly colored, white, brown and black
being the most common in their natural
state.
The egret is species of heron that is
by some people considered in separate
class. At certain seasons of the year
the feathers on the wing lengthen
and become very soft and
flowing. These plumes are used for
various ornamental purposes. The
egret is almost the only species of heron
that does not at some season of the
year change the color of its feathers to
match that of the surrounding objects.
In the southern United States three
species are known to the Zoologist: the
snowy egret, all of which were in for
mer times abundant in Florida, but are
now very rare owing to the great de-
struction on account of their plumage.
The ostrich inhabits Africa from the
delta of the Nile to the Cape of Good
Hope. These birds are easily recog-
nized by their long necks massive bodies
and short wings. Many of the African
ostriches attain height of seyen or
eight feet and have been known to
weigh over a hundred pounds. The
male bird is black with the exception
of the pure white plumes of the wings
and tail, while the female is of dark
brownish grey. The ornamental plumes
of commerce are taken from the living
bird at certain seasons of the year,
those of the male being considered of
the best quality.
Another bird that is noted the world
over for its plumes is the bird of para
disc. The natives name of this beauti-
full and graceful bird has been translated
and found to mean birds of the gods
and if we were to judge by their ap-
pearance we would not consider them
unworthy Of the name.
Magellan in his expedition around the
world, brought back to Europe in the
year 1922 the first specimen ever seen
there. Their skins were already in cir.
culation in India and Persia and among
the tribes of Arabia. In the sixteenth
century their plumage was worn by the
inhabitants of Turkey as head dress
and from there they were transported
into Spain and Portugal.
The bird of paradise is found in many
different parts of Africa and Australia
and especially in New Guinea and the
neighboring islands. There are perhaps
about fifty species of these birds.
Few specimens have ever been cap
tured alive and lived to be transported
to Europe. Natives is securing these
birds hide in the tree tops where the
foliage is thickest and silently shoot
them with blunt arrows. The pluinage
is not only noted for its beautiful colors
but also for its soft glossy appearance.
The long flowing plumes that extend
from the fore part of the wings, back
over the body are the most highly
priced and by far the most beautiful
ones that the bird possesses. These are
the well known plume of the bird OF
paradise.
ESCoL BAKER.