The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-04-27
The End Of Fine Feathers
BY FREDERIC J. HAsKlN

It is said, are to be found in these col
1ections.
In spite of these gratifying contribu-
tons to science, the Audubon socie-
ties, under the leadership of their
president, Mr.. T. Gilbert Pearson. have
never ceased to agitate for a more
effective law. Their only fear has
been that it would come too late-af-
ter the last of the "Manukdewata"
(birds of the gods) as they are called
in East Indian islands. had fallen vic
tim to feminine fashions.
The birds are found in Papua, New
Guinea and certain parts Of Africa,
where they are easily slaughtered by
the natives during the mating season.
"Only the full grown male bird has
the gorgeous spread of feathers which
is coveted by commerce." explains
New York dealer, who is something
of an authority on the subject. "This
is at its best during the counting sea-
son when they hold their annual dane
! ing exhibits for the benefit of the less
gorgeous but highly priced females.
Males Hold Exhibition
ION this occasion, the male birds
dance and fly about, exhibiting their
attractions in sort of competitive ex-
animation while the females stand sill
emily by, cycling them critically and
| finally making a choice. During this
dancing party the birds are so pre-
/ occupied and worried for fear they
won't be chosen that they lose all their
natural caution, and are easily picked
off with blow-pipes by the natives.
at isn't necessary to kill the birds
in order to get their feathers, but is
usually more convenient. Lately, since
they have been growing so scarce, they
are frequently trapped and released
after the feathers have been cut, so
that new spread can be grown.
Except at their dancing parties, the
birds of paradise are naturally eau
tious and well able to protect them
selves. They have but few natural enc
mics, but their families are small, be-
ing limited usually to two offspring
Iper season, so that they increase but
slowly. This is all the more reason
why they should be protected from
human depredations."
i The new tariff law will provide this
protection, at least SO far as this coun
try is concerned. According to Mr.
Pearson, it will lend the thirty-fve
: year battle against the slaughter OF
wild birds for millinery" A few feath
! ers will be smuggled in and peddled
from house to house, as aigrettes are
at present. But for practical purposes
the commerce in forbidden feathers
will be at an end.
An example of how legislation may
save species threatened with extinc
ton is to be found in the case of the
sea gull which, several years ago, was
; nearly wiped out of existence by the
demand of New York milliners fol
|, feathers. All along the coast, gulls
: we're slaughtered by the thousands tt
supply the trade until legislation was
put into effect in the coastwise ant
Great Lakes states, as we'll as by the
federal government, making it a crime
to kill a sea gull or to destroy its eggs
AS a result, the species was no Longer
, molested, and now there are million!
Of sea gulls again to be seen along
our coast.
Experience has shown, moreover
that public opinion regarding the USE
| of feathers is usually strongly inf1u
enced by legislation. There is, TO
| instance, no longer much demand TO
the aigrette, although once it enjoyed
, tremendous popularity. The same
: is true of other species which wer'
, formerly killed with impunity in orde,