Auk 
Jan. 
96 Notes and News. 
she can afford the luxury) may wear this beautiful ornament with a clear 
conscience.” 
The above is from the editorial page of ‘ Harper’s Bazar,’ of Nov. 18, 
1899. It was presumed that it was put forth innocently and in ignorance 
of the facts, and that a respectful and courteous presentation of the truth 
in the matter would be not only welcomed, but would lead to a proper 
retraction of the erroneous statements. Not only has this not been the 
case, but the courtesy of even an acknowledgment of such communica- 
tions, sent as private letters and not for publication, has not been vouch- 
safed. The inference is that no great compunction of conscience was 
felt on the part of the management of this leading fashion journal fora 
most inhumane misstatement of facts in the matter of how egret plumes 
are obtained for millinery use. The various reports of egret farms, 
located in such improbable places as Arizona, New Mexico, Venezuela, 
etc., have in each case proved upon investigation to be wholly mythical, 
as any ornithologist would expect; and, as ornithologists also know, the 
reported gathering of shed egret plumes as a source of millinery supply, 
must, in the nature of things, be equally imaginary. 
Apropos of the above related incidents Mr. Witmer Stone, Chairman 
of the A. O. U. Committee on the Protection of North American birds, 
has prepared a two-page circular devoted to a brief summary of the facts 
in relation to how aigrettes are really obtained. A large edition of this 
circular has been issued for general distribution by the Pennsylvania 
Audubon Society. This is a prompt and praiseworthy effort to offset the 
harm that must necessarily result from such cruel misstatements, sent 
broadcast throughout the world, as that above quoted from ‘ Harper’s 
Bazar.’ 
The matter has also been taken up by Mr. Chapman in the New York 
‘Tribune’ of Dec. 28, 1899, from which it appears that the ‘Harper’s Bazar’ 
editorial was based on ‘ hearsay evidence,’ which was allowed credence 
in the face of the facts so well known to be entirely adverse to such 
allegations. 
