Society for the Protection of Birds — No. 7 . 
N OTWITHSTANDING the reiterated appeals to refrain from wearing 
“murderous millinery,” the fashion of Aigrettes —the “ospreys” of the 
“ plume trade ”—has continued throughout the long summer of the present 
year (1893), and “ wings,” we are told, are to be in vogue during the coming 
winter. It is enough now to speak of the former. Are there no leaders of Society 
among us who will bestir themselves against the atrocious practice which carries 
devastation into the homes of thousands of birds ? It must be borne in mind that 
these aigrettes form the nuptial plumage assumed by certain kinds of Herons, 
Miscalled Egrets, during the few short weeks of the breeding season, and can 
only be obtained by the destruction of the birds while engaged with their eggs or 
young—the latter being left to starve through the death of their parents. In 
proof of this may be given the following abstract of a series of papers by Mr. 
W. E. Scott, the well-known American ornithologist, published in “The Auk” for 
1387, that being the journal issued by the American Ornithologists’ Union. This 
abstract, prepared by Professor Newton of Cambridge, was read by him at the 
first General Meeting of the Society for the Protection of Birds, held at 105, 
Jermyn Street (R.S.P.C.A.), 23rd March, 1893. 
Devastation of Bird-Homes in Florida. 
30 th April , 1886. — Left Tarpon Springs in Florida. On Anclote Keys, six 
years ago there were thousands of birds breeding: eight species of Herons and 
Pelicans. “This morning, in passing these islands, I saw but four Pelicans, two 
or three frightened Herons.” “It is safe to say that not a dozen pairs of 
Herons breed at present on the island, and the birds spoken of have all been 
driven away or killed. Once, at this time of year, a perfect cloud of birds was to 
be seen hovering all day over the islands, so tame and unsuspicious, that they had 
little or no fear of man ; but now the place is almost deserted.” 
1st May. — Landed, where in April, 1889, myriads of birds were breeding, at 
least, 200 Roseate Spoonbills, &c. “No Spoonbills. Not a single White Ibis- 
in fact, an utter transformation from the happy and populous community of only 
a few years before.” 
2nd May .— Boya Sieya and Maxima “ rookery.” A. Le Chevallier, a French¬ 
man, lived there. Killed many thousands of the several species, particularly 
White Herons. Sailed over 69 miles, a district once famous for its teeming 
bird-life; now saw only a few scattered Herons, four or five Pelicans, &c. 
4 th May. —Charlotte Harbour. Only a few years ago bird-life so abundant 
that it would be difficult to exaggerate the numbers. Captain Baker said that 
about 60 acres were so covered with White Ibis that “it looked from a distance 
as if a big white sheet had been thrown over the mangroves.” Sailing to-day over 
40 miles, I did not see a place that was occupied by even a few birds. At 
Hickory Bluff, went ashore to get information. Postmaster and others all agreed 
that for the past two years birds had been so persecuted to get their “ plumes ” 
for the northern market, that they were practically exterminated. Birds were 
killed, plumes taken from the back, head, and breast, and carcase thrown to 
“ Buzzards ” (i.e. , Vultures). Fort Myers was the local market, where buyers 
were always ready to pay a high price for “ plumes ” and fancy feathers. One 
man, now further south, employed from 40 to 60 gunners, furnishing them with 
supplies, and giving so much for a plume or flat skin* for ail desirable birds. 
Prices ranged from 20 cents to 2\ dollars a skin—average 40 cents. All this 
afterwards corroborated. 
6th May .— Myiakka River. Birds are said still to be in large numbers ; but 
found haunts completely deserted, i. e.. birds killed off. 
6th May .— Higher up river found “ island fairly white with birds” herons). 
7 th May. —Visited by two “ plume hunters,” who wished to dispose of number 
of plumes of Little White Egret, and seemed much surprised at my not wishing to 
buy them. Prices asked from 10 cents, to a dollar according to species. Flat 
skins of roseate Spoonbill from two to five dollars. One man said he had got over 
400 “ plume birds ” in less than four days on one “ rookery.” 
8 th May .—Macleod Island, great breeding-place of Reddish Egret. “ Found 
a huge pile of half-decayed birds, lying on the ground, which had been killed a 
day or two. All of them had the ‘ plumes ’ taken, with a patch of skin from the 
back, and some had the wings cut off. I counted over 200 birds so treated. 
This was the ‘ rookery’ I had been told of. Within the last few day3 it had been 
* “ Round ” skins are available for naturalists; “ flat'’ skins only in the “ plume trade.” 
