Man and Nature 421 



the snow lies so deep on the ranges that the animals cannot 

 forage for themselves; and the buffalo, which formerly ap- 

 peared to be doomed, have probably been saved, although 

 they are today more like domestic cattle, retaining little of 

 the picturesque character of their forbears, which ranged in 

 such magnificence over our western domain. But the ante- 

 lope at present appears to be doomed. Even with the most 

 careful protection the young often fall victims to the wily 



AN EGRET COLONY IN SOUTH CAROLINA 



The aigrette which formerly adorned women's bonnets so extensively 

 was obtained from this bird, which was nearly exterminated as a resuit. 

 Photograph of a group in the American Museum of Natural History in 

 New York. 



Courtesy of the Museum. 



wolf and coyote, and the destruction which man began, Na- 

 ture seems determined to finish. 



Until comparatively recent times the swamps of our South 

 Atlantic and Gulf Coast were the home of countless thou- 

 sands of snowy herons, bearers of the beautiful "aigrette," 

 which woman in innocent barbarity was at one time proud 

 to wear. The story of the aigrette trade with all its wanton 

 cruelty, has been told so often as to need no repetition here, 

 but a word may be said regarding its suppression. Aboli- 



