332 WITH THE U. S. NATURALISTS 



of falconry, or flying Hawks after birds, was only 

 permitted to the highest nobles of the land, and, 

 throughout Europe, if a peasant owned a Pere- 

 grine Falcon, he was punishable with death. ' ' 



''It's not like that, now," said the boy. 



''No," agreed the Feather Man, "and it is one 

 of the signs which show clearly how we have lost 

 the old ideal of courage and abandoned the prin- 

 ciple of confining marks of honor to those who 

 have shown especial bravery. Nowadays, any one, 

 no matter how mean or paltry their work in life 

 or their character may be, if he or she has the 

 money, can buy and wear feathers w^hich, afore- 

 time, were confined to the brave. We have ex- 

 changed our standard of values. We count by 

 dollars instead of deeds. 



"A\Tiy has the Whistling Swan become rare? 

 Why is the Pelican in need of protection? Why is 

 this island strewn with the bones of Albatross! 



"Because some silly woman wants to wear their 

 feathers in her hat. 



"Has she any right to such adornment? In all 

 her life has she done anything worthy of honor? 

 No. Her only desire is to rival some other woman 

 who possesses similar feathers — and — she has the 

 price ! 



