4 
The wearing of “ a soft thing that waves/’ obtained by such 
means, is so opposed to a woman’s best and strongest instincts, that 
we cannot but hope to obtain the discontinuance of the practice by 
circulating the fullest and best authenticated details on the subject. 
Still we must needs admit that it is difficult to convince a woman 
against her will. (Laughter and cheers). 
Some persons present may remember Professor Ruskin’s 
touching account of the fate of the last small white Egret that 
visited England (in 1840 ). This exquisite little creature, with 
ei feathers like frost work of dead silver,” resembling a living 
cloud rather than a bird,” was beaten to death by a labourer, near 
Beverley, with his stick and carried away covered with black wet 
mud and blood, tied up in a pocket handkerchief. 
Mr. Ruskin excuses the biutality of the peasant because he 
could not see the beauty of the bird, had he done so he would have 
desired not to kill it, but to watch it in its life. 
This fact indicates our duty to try to induce people to see and 
protect our birds in their living beauty. (Applause). 
Our Society, beginning with a protest against the destruction 
of birds for mere decoration, especially for millinery, soon ceased 
to be an exclusively woman’s movement. Our endeavours were 
warmly seconded by the London and country press and by many 
leading ornithologists, notably by Lord Lilford, Professor Newton 
and Mr. Harvie-Brown. It may be that I ought not to name Mr. 
Hudson, because he is so much one of us, but I cannot refrain from 
uttering a word of thankfulness for his untiring help, and for the 
valuable publications in which he has advocated our cause. (Cheers). 
I ask leave to add that while fully admitting the ill-usage of 
birds by women, and earnestly desiring to remove the beam out of 
our own eye, that is the aigrettes and bird carcases fiom our heads, 
we would also plead for the removal of the mote (or beam) from our 
brothers’ eye. There are collectors and collectors, but we would 
fain see men and youths less destructive, and disposed to use the 
field-glass rather than the gun. 
The Chairman has urged us to try and influence public opinion 
for the obtainment from Parliament of extended laws for the 
protection of birds. This counsel we shall gladly follow to the 
utmost of our power. 
At present we can do nothing better than disseminate as widely 
as possible, the information and suggestions which ornithologists 
and other friends of birds, best capable of judging of their needs, 
have been good enough to place in our hands. (Cheers). 
Colonel Coulson :—I have extreme pleasure in rising to second 
the motion so ably and touchingly put by Mrs. Phillips. The 
wanton destruction of birds is a terrible reproach to this country of 
ours. As I passed through the streets of London to-day it extremely 
disgusted me to see the larks for sale in the poulterers’ shops, simply 
to' gratify the taste of gourmands. The shooting and trapping of 
our song birds is going on to a terrible extent, so much so, that in 
course of time, if it proceeds at the same rate, one of the greatest 
