BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



check, but usually their deeds are carried out 

 far back in the wilds where they can escape the 

 law. Knowledge of their work given broad- 

 cast to the world may prevent a market for 

 their produce, and this alone would bring to an 

 end their crimes against the feathered 

 creatures. 



The misery and destruction that man has 

 brought upon birds for a little gain is one of 

 the saddest stories that history has to tell. 

 Beautiful plumaged birds have suffered most. 

 Among these were the Great White Heron and 

 the White Egret. The Great White Herons, 

 which nested in colonies, were at one time 

 abundant in different parts of the United 

 States, and feather dealers sent men out to 

 their nesting places, because at nesting time 

 their plumage was most beautiful, and also be- 

 cause they were then easiest to get, for no ter- 

 rors would make them leave their helpless 

 little ones in the nests. The men hid in the 

 bushes and shot the parent birds as they came 

 to the nest with food. 



Deceitful means were also used to get these 

 birds. Sometimes a wounded one would be 

 placed in a thicket, round which the men hid, 

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