1 84 
OSPREY PLUMES. 
The wanton destruction of bird life to supply the dictates of 
vanity and fashion is perhaps no better exemplified than in the 
commerce of "Osprey" plumes. 
Osprey or aigrette plumes of the milliner are the long, loose, 
waving plumes taken from the backs of different species of small 
Herons, the white plumaged species, some ten in number, being 
the most valued. The finest kinds are those from the Little and 
the Black-footed Egrets. In both species the plumage is pure 
white, and the long "train"' feathers are of a peculiarly loose, 
flowing type, of great delicacy, and recurved at the tip. It is 
this latter peculiarity that gives them their special value. Besides 
the White Herons, several others are laid under contribution. 
These birds are of varied colors, and the plumes are sold as "red" 
or "ash" Ospreys, and so on, as the case may be. 
Some idea of the havoc annually wrought among these beautiful 
birds may be gained from the fact that it is computed that the 
European markets alone dispose of the feathers of nearly half a 
million birds. When it is known that these natural adornments 
are only worn by the Egrets during the breeding season, the 
appalling consequences to bird life may be in some measure com- 
puted. Besides the slaughter of the parents, the practice of wear- 
ing Osprey plumes, therefore condemns to a slow and lingering 
death thousands upon thousands of their young. In this way the 
extinction of "aigrette" producing birds is certain within a com- 
paratively short period. 
To many wearers of such ornaments the cruelty of the practice 
which has supplied them is becoming known and many have de- 
cided to abandon the use. Others again are contenting them- 
selves with wearing- what are termed "artificial" Osprey plumes 
in the belief that they are thereby not lending countenance to the 
destruction of these beautiful birds. It need only be explained 
that "artificial" Ospreys is only a trade name given to inferior 
portions of the genuine feather, to show those who are lulling 
their conscience by such means, that ''artificial" Osprey plumes 
have no real existence, but are in fact as truly responsible for 
the gradual extermination of our birds as the "real" plumes. The 
delicate terminal feathers yield the "genuine Osprey" and are sold 
at a sufficiently high price to pay for the whole plume, leaving 
the lower portion to be sold at such a price that its cheapness is 
often quoted as a proof of its artificial nature. 
When selling "Ospreys," whenever scruples are manifested by 
the customer, assurance is given that the plume is artificial. The 
conscience has to be soothed, and rather than lose a valuable 
customer the above artifice is resorted to. 
Aigrettes ii4 imitation of the "Osprey" are manufactured in a 
sense by manipulating the feathers of birds other than Herons so 
