THE SLAUGHTER OF SMALL BIRDS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 149, 10 March 1876, Page 8

THE SLAUGHTER OF SMALL BIRDS.

The correct thing for the decoration of ladies' hats during the present season is small English birds. Some go in for the " entire animal ; " others can only mount a wing. Where the whole bird is used, robins seem to be the favorites ; but for the most modest requirements, the feather of any dirk plumaged bird is sufficient. The old foreign favorites — the bird of paradise, humming-bird, and cockatoo feathers are quite discarded ; though we do not doubt that means will be adopted to tune down their brilliant plumage to more sombre tints, and enable them to play a fresh role. Meanwhile this demand for English birds has given great impetus to the bird-catching 1 fraternity, who are busily employed in supplying the demands of the London market. If this fashion is carried to any extent, we need hardly say that an Herodian slaughter of our small birds will sat in. This would be a matter of extreme regret. The small birds have been called the " farmer's friends," and their wholesale^ destruction in other countries, notoriously in France, has been followed by disastrous consequences to agriculture. On the score of sentiment we would plead for the preservation of our small friends. They give a charm to our rural scenery, and usually " unheard in summer's flaring ray," they enliven by their sweet notes the dullest seasons of the year. We hope that the ladies will discountenance a practice at once wanton and mischievous, and so repugnant to their better feelings. The "lady patronesses "of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals might appropriately take the matter up ; a well considered protest and remonstrance from them would no doubt be listened to with respect by th.; leaders of fashion, as coming from those having authority.