. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. FASHION'S VICTIMS 261 The Black-Crowned Night-Heron' breeds all around New York City, and every summer two or three come and try to break into the fjreat Flying Cage of the New York Zoological Park. As its name implies, this bird has a crown of glossy black feathers, with two or three long white occipital plumes. This is a southern bird, but it breeds as far north as Massachusetts .and Illinois. Like its twin, the Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron, it is half nocturnal in its habi
. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. FASHION'S VICTIMS 261 The Black-Crowned Night-Heron' breeds all around New York City, and every summer two or three come and try to break into the fjreat Flying Cage of the New York Zoological Park. As its name implies, this bird has a crown of glossy black feathers, with two or three long white occipital plumes. This is a southern bird, but it breeds as far north as Massachusetts .and Illinois. Like its twin, the Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron, it is half nocturnal in its habits. When at night in Florida you hear a bird say "Quawk!" and repeat it to you from the depths of the mangroves as your boat glides by, you know it is a Night-Heron. Both these species have beautiful plumage, and are handsome birds. Their distinguishing marks are, thick bodies, and short, thick necks; short legs (for herons), and two or three round, wisp-like plumes from five to seven inches long growing out of the top of the head, and drooping back- ward. The Snowy Heron, or Snowy Egret,'^ when fully adult, is the most beautiful white bird in all the avian world. Its form is the embodiment of symmetry and grace, its plumage is immacu- late, and the filmy "plumes" on its head and back are like spun glass. Its black legs and bill merely serve to intensify the whiteness of its feathers. But the vanity of women has been the curse of the snowy egret. Its plumes are finest during the breeding season, and it was then that the hunters sought them, slaughtering the parent birds in the rookeries by thousands (when they were abundant), and leaving the nestlings to die of starvation. If all women could know the price in blood and suffering which is paid for the accursed "aigrettes" of fashion, surely but few could find any pleasure in wearing them.' It is strange that civilized women—the tender- hearted, the philanthropic and compassionate— should prove t
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