1108 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX. 



short description of the system of snaring might prove of some interest. 

 A hedge of branches of trees, brushwood and grass is erected from the 

 bottom of a hill to the top. At every ten or twelve paces, there is a small 

 opening in which a spring snare is fastened. The snare is composed of a 

 bent branch and a slip-knot. While the birds and animals are feeding, 

 they come across the hedge, and naturally look for an opening in order to 

 cross it. On finding one, they endeavour to pass through it, and are 

 caught in the snare." The writer adds that " the extent of the indis- 

 criminate slaughter under such a system can only be realised by those 

 who have witnessed it." And if these reports were startling, the enormous 

 extent of the export trade in plumage was equally so. During the years 

 1895-1900 the total quantity and value of feathers (Indian merchandise) 

 exported -by sea from India to other Foreign countries amounted to the 

 gigantic total of 11,49,354 lbs., representing a value of Es. 15,51,831. 

 The details were made up as follows : — 



The greater part of these feathers were exported to the United Kingdom 

 and China ; a considerable portion also went to Austria-Hungary, France, 

 Germany and the Straits Settlements, and the balance was distributed in 

 small quantities between Belgium, Japan, Arabia, Persia, etc. Nor were 

 these the only figures which the authorities had before them at the time. It 

 appeared that much of the export trade was also conducted through the 

 medium of the Indian Post Office. For the period from 1st July 1898 to 

 30th June 1901, the records of a single Post Office, namely, that of Bombay, 

 disclosed the facts that 1,521 parcels, containing birds' feathers of the 

 aggregate weight of 6,813 lbs., and of the total declared value of £26,004 

 were despatched by the Foreign' Parcel Post. Of this total number, 

 1,404 parcels, weighing 6,256 lbs., and valued at £23,653 were addressed to 

 the United Kingdom, while the rest were addressed to other countries. 



