On June 27th, 1896, the Times printed a letter from 
Mrs. Litchfield, of 31, Kensington Square, W., which 
contained the following paragraph :— 
“ I much wish to supplement Sir William Flower’s admirable letter 
by one or two points which would only strike a woman. My humane 
friends with whom I discussed the question assured me that their 
plumes were perfectly unobjectionable, and they were certain of the 
fact because of the low price. This, however, is a complete miscon¬ 
ception. Of a number of specimens which I lately sent to Sir William 
Flower for examination, all of which are found to be true egret’s 
feathers, some were priced as low as 6fd. These ospreys, called in the 
trade, ‘ brush ospreys,’ were bought at important and well-known 
shops in St. Paul’s Churchyard, Kensington High Street, Fdgware 
Hoad, Oxford Street, and Wigmore Street, at prices varying from 6fd. 
to 4s. In every case an assurance was given that these ospreys were 
artificial, and therefore there could be no cruelty. In one the 
assistant informed me that many of their ladies objected to wearing 
ospreys on grounds of humanity, and that then they always sold them 
the ‘ brush ’ ones, which were ‘ not cruel ’ — why, she did not know, for 
she believed they did come from part of the same feather.” 
Extracts of letters from Mr. Thomas Southwell, 
F.Z.S., M.B.O.N. :— 
“ The only plume which may be used with safety is that of the 
ostrich. The example set by the wearer of artificial plumes is just as 
pernicious as by the wearer of a real one, and those who cannot, or 
do not wish to discriminate, would plead it as an excuse. The only 
safe course is to avoid even the semblance of such an offence. 
“ Norwich, 
“ May 27th, 1896.” 
“ The statement that the egret and heron plumes which come into 
the market are dead shed feathers, is so absurd that it will carry no 
weight with those who know what a condition these dead and drabbled 
feathers are in when found on the margins of lakes, where the moulting 
birds go to wash and dress their plumage. 
“ Norwich, 
“ July 28th, 1896.” 
It should be bor^e in mind that imitations are put on the market 
when the supply of the real thing is in danger of becoming exhausted, 
and that if by this means the fashion is kept up, directly the herons, 
Birds of Paradise, etc., have somewhat recovered from the ravages of 
the last few years, their plumes will again be sought after and worn 
as persistently as ever. The only effectual remedy is to kill the fashion ; 
and as these plumes are quite unnecessary and superfluous articles of 
dress this should not be impossible, considering the numerous harmless 
ornaments and trimmings which exist. 
Copies of this Leaflet, 2d. per doz., or i/- per ioo, and other publications of the 
Society, can be obtained from the Society’s Publishing Department, Knowledge 
Office, 326, High Iiolborn, W.C. Cards of membership and information respecting 
the Society from the Hon. Sec., Mrs. F. E. Lemon, Hillcrest, Redhill, Surrey. 
