J. J. QUELCH. 129 
The law deals with the killing of birds for purposes of 
trade. It cannot brand as illegal the wearing of feathers 
for purposes of ornament. The brilliant feathers of many 
food birds are just as available, logically, for purposes of 
ornament as any other kind of suitable material. It could 
not be termed cruel or inhuman, unless the feathers worn 
were obtained from birds killed for the express purpose. 
The obtaining and wearing of sealskins, furs of sable, 
ermine, otters, etc., is just as heartless and as cruel, though 
the offenders in these cases, in pointing the finger of reproof 
at the poor feather-wearers, seem to be quite oblivious of 
the fact of their own encouragement of equal cruelty and 
inhumanity. 
9 
