those who so thoughtlessly encourage their destruction for the sake 
of mere personal adornment. The Bird of Paradise most used in 
millinery is that obtained in the Papuan Islands and New 
Guinea. Mr. Wallace, in describing the Paradisea apoda , says : 
“From each side of the body, beneath the wings, spring a dense 
tuft of long and delicate plumes, sometimes two feet in length, of 
the most intense golden-orange colour and very glossy, but 
changing towards the tips into a pale brown. This tuft of feathers 
can be elevated and spread out at pleasure so as almost to conceal 
the body of the bird.” The wing, breast and other feathers are 
utilised for making trimmings, &c., but it is these side tufts, the 
peculiar and beautiful characteristic of the Bird of Paradise, which 
funvshes the plumes so conspicuous in hat adornment. In his 
“ Oiseaux dans la Mode/’ of October, 1894 , Mons. Jules Forest 
bitterly deplores the destruction which has been going on during 
the last decade. He emphasises the fact that it is no longer possible 
to procure such perfect specimens of the Bird of Paradise as were 
common ten years ago, since the unfortunate birds are so 
assiduously hunted that none of them are allowed to live long 
enough to reach maturity, the full plumage of the male bird 
requiring several years for its development! He further states 
that “ the birds which now flood the Paris market are for the most 
part young ones> still clothed in their first plumage, which lacks 
the brilliancy displayed in the older bird, and is consequently of 
small commercial value.” Since January 1 st, 1892 ,, strict regulations, 
for the preservation of the Bird of Paradise have been in force 
in German New Guinea, and Mons. Forest appeals to the English 
and Dutch Governments to follow this good example. 
The common sense of every thoughtful woman must at once 
tell her that no comparatively rare tropical species, such as the 
Bird of Paradise, can long withstand this appalling drain upon it,, 
and that this ruthless destruction, which merely panders to the 
caprice of a passing fashion, will soon place one of the most 
beautiful denizens of our earth in the same category as the Great 
Auk and the Dodo, 
Civilised women throughout the world are earnestly entreated, 
not to countenance the sacrifice of this bird by encouraging the 
demand for its precious feathers. Let them resolve to do what 
they can to hinder the extermination of this “ Wonder of Nature,” 
by stoutly refusing to wear or purchase anything purporting to 
have once belonged to- a Bird of Paradise. 
MARGARETTA L. LEMON. 
July, 1895 . 
Hillcrest, Redhill, Surrey. 
Copies of this Leaflet, 2d. per doz., or 1/3 per 100, and other publications of the 
Society, can be obtained from the Society’s Publishing Department, Knowledge 
Office, 326, High Hoi born, W.C. Cards of Membership and information respecting 
the Society from the Hon. Sec., Mrs, F. E. Lemon, Hillcrest, Redhill, Surrey. 
