78 GRAY LADY AND THE BIRDS 
finement, their owners used to pluck out the plumes. 
But they soon found that not only was this troublesome, 
for the pain of it made the birds struggle, but the next 
crop of feathers suffered in consequence. Nature has 
reasons for everything she plans and there is evidently 
some substance in the butt of the old quill that, by keep- 
ing the skin soft and open, prepares the way for the new 
one that is to follow and causes it to be of better quality. 
“Now the plumes are clipped off, and later on the stubs, 
which are then dry, come out easily. The feathers of 
these birds are much fuller and finer than those that came 
from the wild Ostriches. 
“The picture shows an Ostrich in the little three- 
cornered pen with the men holding up the tufts and pre- 
paring to snip off the feathers. The pen is made in this 
shape so that there will be standing-room for the men, 
but not room enough for the Ostrich to turn round and 
kick forward. A hood shaped like a stocking is drawn 
over his head, and he is perfectiy quiet, for he feels no 
pain and no blood is drawn. 
““Now you can judge for yourselves that Ostrich feath- 
ers may be safely worn by every one who likes beautiful 
things, for certainly there are no feathers so graceful as 
a sweeping Ostrich plume with the ends slightly curled. 
“In addition to the fact that the growing and taking of 
these feathers is perfectly humane, their use encourages 
a large industry which gives employment to many people 
here in our own country.” 
“T wish my ma had an Ostrich plume in her Sunday 
hat instead of that mean egret,” sighed Eliza Clausen, 
half to herself. ‘I can take the smaller wings out of mine 
