The White Egrets 



67 



the plumes are in most perfect condition. The parent birds, at such time, are 

 easily killed, and. as a result, the young birds perish, thus making the aimual 

 gathering of plumes one of the most destructive of all agencies operating 

 against bird-life. This beautiful bird is now nearing extinction in Florida, 

 there being but a remnant of former colonies remaining in svrampy recesses 

 in extreme southern Florida. 



AMERICAN EGRET 

 Photographed by P. B. Philipp 



■'The statement that Egrets or Snow}- Herons are not killed for their 

 plimiage, or that the plumes are picked up about the rookeries or nesting- 

 places, is a perversion of facts, and one that is absolute!}' false."" 



(From Affida\'it of O. E. Baynard. Gainesville. Florida.) 



"That he is acquainted vvith the customs and habits of what are known as 

 the Florida plumage birds; that he has been on the grounds and places of 

 roosting of the different pliunage birds of Florida, and that he makes this 

 af&da^it from the facts ascertained by himself in the personal investigation 

 and obser\'ation of the habits of the different plumage birds of Florida. Affiant 

 further swears that it is impossible to obtain such plumes of either the Snow}- 

 Heron or American Egret, found principally in Florida, which will be of any 



