o78 Recent Literature. uuly 



and swamps where the biids breed, render the enforcement of such a law, 

 even if it really existed, simply impossible 



The pamphlet deals also with the reckless destruction of Humming- 

 birds, Goura Pigeons, Himalayan Pheasants, Paradise Birds, Lyre Birds, 

 Storks, Pelicans, Grebes, etc., and exposes the false assertions of the 

 feather dealers regarding the limited extent and slight importance of the 

 feather trade in diminishing the numbers of any of these species. 



The subject of the prohibition of the importation of plumage and of 

 international laws to prevent it, is also presented at length. The paper 

 has thus a broad scope, and is especially important in its analysis of the 

 feather trade defense. It is a strong document that should have the 

 widest possible circulation. 



Another recent brochure dealing with misleading statements of New 

 York milliners engaged in the Heron plume traffic is entitled 'Confessions 

 of a Plume Hunter,' and forms Special Leaflet No. 23 of the National 

 Association of Audubon Societies. It is in the form of a sworn statement, 

 addressed to the Secretary of the Association, by Mr. A. H. Meyer, form- 

 erly in business as a plume collector in Venezuela and Colombia for twelve 

 years (1896-1905, inclusive). After citing the fact that certain commercial 

 interests in New York City are circulating stories "to the effect that the 

 aigrettes used in the millinery trade come chiefly from Venezuela, where 

 they are gathered from the ground in the large garzeros or breeding colonies 

 of white herons," he goes on to state, from his own personal knowledge, 

 that "It is the custom in Venezuela to shoot the birds while the young are 

 in the nests," and that after the breeding season the plumes are virtually 

 of no commercial value, "because of the worn and frayed condition to 

 which they have been reduced." A few of the plumes of the large white 

 herons are picked up about their breeding places, but they are of small 

 value and are known as 'dead feathers.' 



The impossible stories circulated by the millinery interest in New York 

 are stated to be based on a letter written by "Mayeul Grisol, Naturalist 

 and Explorer of the Honorary Mission of the Museum of Natural History 

 in Paris." The absurdity of these statements led Prof. H?nry Fairfield 

 Osborn, President of the American Museum of Natural History in New 

 York, to cable an inquiry to the Paris Museum of Natural History re- 

 garding Mayeul Grisol. The reply, dated April 22, 1911, was: "Mayeul 

 Giisol inconnu " — J. A. A. 



Boas on Rooks and on Damage done by them in Denmark. 1 — The 



writer treats his subject under the following headings: Food of Rooks; 

 Rooks useful or injurious? How shall we estimate the economic significance 

 of Rooks? Distribution of Rooks in Denmark; Experience with injury 

 by Rooks in Denmark; Summary of damage; Comparison of injuries 

 and benefits; Means against Rcoks, and Legislation against Rooks. 



1 Boas, J. E. V. Raagerne og raageskade i Danrnark. Tidssk. f. Landbrugets 

 Planteavl. XVIII, 1911. Separately paged 11-291, 1 map. 



