in South Carolina 27 



hunters with a pack of curs and hounds (half-fed) and 

 every covey of young and every nesl of eggs is eaten up. 

 The next greatest enemy is the negro with his single bar- 

 rel shot gun. He shoots at any season. He is no respec- 

 ter of the mother bird on her nest or while caring for her 

 young." 



Plume Hunters 



Seventeen reports show that certain species of birds are 

 still being destroyed by milliners' hunters, despite the 

 fact that such birds are on the protected list. In open 

 defiance of the law, plumes from the American Egret are 

 still displayed in the windows of some of the millinery 

 stores in Columbia, and perhaps other cities, and the head- 

 gear of some women bear evidence that the bloody work 

 is still going on. This is a reproach to the State of South 

 Carolina! 



Several years ago the Least Terns on Bull's Island were 

 exterminated by plume hunters. The American and Snowy 

 Egrets were fast disappearing when the National Associ- 

 ation of Audubon Societies thru its secretary, Mr. T. G. 

 Pearson, located the remnants of a few colonies and em- 

 ployed special wardens to protect them during the nesting 

 season, when the plumes are worn. The Charleston 

 Museum also protects one colony and Mr. L. A. Beckman, 

 superintendent of the Santee Gun Club, rigidly protects 

 the fine colony which nests on the preserve in his care. 



But for the protection afforded by these private agencies 

 there is no doubt that the white herons in this State would 

 be exterminated in one season. Mr. H. M. Stuart, Beau- 

 fort, writes: "Where I could show the nests and eggs of 

 500 white herons in season twenty-odd years ago, I could 

 not show one now. There are a few small "hammocks" 

 and ponds where the commoner species of herons breed 

 yet, but I fear they will not last long.". 



