422 Biology in America 



tion of the feather traffic was one of the primary factors in 

 the organization of the Audubon Society; and since the in- 

 ception of the latter it has played a prominent part in the 

 salvation of the few herons still preserved from their ruth- 

 less pursuers. Through its activity the Audubon model bird 

 law has been passed by every state (among many others) 

 where the egret colonies were found. But this law was 

 inadequate because, like many another law, it proved in many 

 places to be but a "scrap of paper." Especially was this 

 true in the conservative and easy-going South, where public 

 opinion was not yet alive to the necessity for bird protec- 

 tion, and so the Society turned its attention to the source 

 of the trade,' namely the millinery interests of our great cit- 

 ies, and after many a hard fight these interests were defeated, 

 and laws were passed by many states prohibiting the sale of 

 wild bird plumage. The Society, with the aid of other or- 

 ganizations interested in bird life, also secured a provision in 

 the tariff act of 1913 prohibting the importation of feathers 

 into the United States, which for a time created much con- 

 sternation among certain aigrette-bedecked ladies returning 

 to this country from abroad. 



The passage of this provision through Congress was only 

 effected after a bitter fight against the forces of sordid greed. 

 A fine example of the spirit of its opponents is afforded by 

 the speech of a man who still figures in our legislature as a 

 champion of reaction. 



"I really honestly want to know why there should be any 

 sympathy or sentiment about a long-legged, long-beaked, long- 

 necked bird that lives in swamps, and eats tadpoles and fish 

 and crawfish and things of that kind; why we should worry 

 ourselves into a frenzy because some lady adorns her hat with 

 one of its feathers, which appears to be the only use it has. ' ' 

 ... If the young are then left to starve, it would seem to me 

 the proper idea would be to establish a foundling asylum for 

 the young, but still let humanity utilize this bird for the only 

 purpose that evidently the Lord made it for, namely, so that 

 we could get aigrettes for bonnets of our beautiful ladies. ' ' n 



But not content with mere repression of the feather trade, 

 the Society has devoted itself to the protection of the herons 

 on their breeding grounds, establishing and patrolling many 

 reserves along our coast, where they now live in peace and 

 are multiplying rapidly. 



In guarding these reserves two wardens of the Society have 

 been shot by plume hunters angered at the interruption of 

 their illegal trade. 



"From remarks of Senator James A. Keed of Missouri. Cong. Eec., 

 Vol. 50, p. 3426. 



