FOR NORTHERN INDIA 99 



forth May flowers, so does the April sunshine 

 in India draw forth the marriage adornments 

 of the birds that breed in the rains. The 

 pheasant-tailed jacanas are acquiring the long 

 tail feathers that form the wedding ornaments 

 of both sexes. 



The various species of egret and the paddy 

 bird all assume their nuptial plumes in May. 



In the case of the egret these plumes are in 

 great demand and are known to the plumage 

 trade as " ospreys." 



The plumes in question consist of long fila- 

 mentous feathers that grow from the neck of 

 the egret and also from its breast. In most 

 countries those who obtain these plumes wait 

 until the birds are actually nesting before 

 attempting to secure them, taking advantage of 

 the fact that egrets nest in colonies and of the 

 the parental affection of the breeding birds. 

 A few men armed with guns are able to shoot 

 every adult member of the colony, because the 

 egrets continue to feed their young until they 

 are shot. As the plumes of these birds are 

 worth nearly their weight in gold, egrets have 

 become extinct in some parts of the world. 



The export of plumage from India is un- 

 lawful, but this fact does not prevent a very 



