382 



OSTRICH PLUMES. 



from the Sahara, the following questions have heen agitated, to ascertain 

 if it be not possible ; 



1st. To prohibit entirely the sale of ostrich eggs. 



2nd. To interdict the chase of young ostriches, otherwise than to 

 take them alive, and keep them in a domestic state for the periodical 

 crop of feathers, and their reproduction! 



3rd. To prohibit the chase of the adult ostrich for one or two years. 



These regulations w r ould result in promoting greatly the increase of 

 the species, the incubation would not be disturbed, and they would 

 greatly aid the domestication of the ostrich. Experience already shows 

 the great success which has attended experiments at the Jardin 

 d'Acclimatation at Hamina. The Director of that establishment 

 having received the premium of 2,000 fr. offered by M. Chagot, sen., fea- 

 ther florist, member of the commission of valuers to the Ministry of 

 Commerce, who was the first to succeed in getting the ostrich to breed 

 in a domestic state, and this reproduction promises to obtain for com- 

 merce the ostrich plumes, which are daily becoming more rare and dear. 

 The problem of the domestication of the ostrich in the temperate 

 regions of Northern Africa, may yet be attended with a satisfactory result, 

 and thus, instead of chasing the bird from its destination, in order to 

 obtain the valuable spoils of its plumage, it may be bred and led to 

 yield its feathers periodically for the wants of fashion. 



The following have been the imports of ostrich feathers into the 

 United Kingdom in the past eight years. 



1854 

 1855 

 1856 

 1857 



lbs 



10,282 

 10,681 

 10,797 

 14,922 



Value 



£46,285 



13,821 



19,441 



102,132 



1858 

 1859 

 1860 

 1861 



lbs 



18,843 

 29,672 

 25,277 

 17,873 



Value 

 £56,722 

 78,871 

 81,425 

 42,550 



The feathers of the American, or three-toed ostrich, Rhea Americana, 

 are extensively worn on bonnets and as military plumes. It is of a 

 uniform grey colour, except on the back, which has a brown tint. The 

 back and rump are furnished with long feathers, but not of the same 

 rich and costly kinds as those of the African ostrich. The Indians, 

 however, make plumes, parasols, and many beautiful ornaments of the 

 feathers, which they much value. This bird is met with in the Banda 

 Oriental, in the provinces of Entre Rios, and in the plains of Buenos 

 Ayres. 



