82 FLORIDA BIRD-LIFE 



It is small satisfaction to the bird-lover to know that 

 Florida herself is the greatest sufferer from the niggardly 

 short-sightedness which allowed the agents of northern mil- 

 liners to loot her of her treasures. Her loss was their profit. 

 The few thousands paid the plumers is a pitiful sum when 

 one considers the real value of what has been irretrievably 

 lost. 



This was not a case of civilization's advance, before 

 which, of necessity, certain forms of life must disappear. 

 The marshes and swamps, river, lake and sea shore, once 

 animated by snowy plumaged Herons, and Ibises, and by 

 Roseate Spoonbills, still exist and will long continue to exist 

 as they were when the birds glorified them. 



This is rather a case where the lack of civilization may 

 be held accountable. If the laws were respected, these birds 

 might be just as abundant in Florida to-day as they ever 

 were, when the marvel of this nature 's aviary would form 

 an attraction such as the state can never hope to possess 

 again. 



I began my study of Florida birds in 1886 and have con- 

 tinued it at intervals to the present time. In another con- 

 nection, I hope to present the results of researches which 

 have covered the greater part of the peninsular ; here are 

 given only certain special studies, made mainly while gath- 

 ering material for the groups of American birds previously 

 mentioned. 



