Reservation News
The two new bird reservations in Michigan, announced in the Annual Report, are now in charge of the head light-keepers on the adjacent islands, which are light-house reservations. Commander Charles E. Fox, U. S. N., Inspector Eleventh Light-House District, issued orders to the respective keepers as follows: "Enclosed herewith are copies of an executive order from the President of the United States relative to the unsurveyed islands of the Siskiwit group of islands and the Huron Islands group, one of which please hand to each of your assistants. You are instructed to aid in protecting the birds about those islands as far as may be, without interfering with your duties as light-house keeper." In the annual report (p. 300) the announcement was made of an effort to buy an island, located on the Maine coast. The Governor and Council of the state declined to sell the property, as it is their settled policy not to dispose of public lands for any purpose. The state officials, however, recognizing the value of the work of the National Association, generously gave a free lease of Old Man's Island, which is to run as long as the Association uses the island for a bird refuge and breeding ground and maintains effective wardenship. This lease has been duly recorded, is being widely advertised, and a warden has been appointed. The Association has practically established another reservation which is a particularly important one, as it is the only place in the United States where the Eider Duck is known to breed. The hearty cooperation of the Governor and Council of Maine in the work of this Association is very gratifying indeed, as it shows a most intelligent appreciation of the needs of bird protection and, moreover, indicates a high standard of civics. This Association has found it to be invariably true that when matters relating to bird and game protection are removed from politics, as they should always be, the very best results are obtained.
Millinery and Aigrettes
Eastern milliners seem loth to give up the use of aigrettes. Appeals, arguments or fear of the law do not restrain them, nor can some women be made to realize the cost, in pain and blood, of the White Heron's plume. Aigrettes are everywhere seen, and it is a wonder to the ornithologists where they all come from, and how much longer the White Herons will last. Infrequently a hat is seen trimmed with Grebe, or the plumage of a Tern or Gull. This all shows that in the vicinity of New York the desire is still strong to sell the plumage of wild birds. It is with sincere pleasure that it can be stated that in the West a very different spirit obtains among the milliners. Our director, Mr. Ruthven Deane, has done a great deal of active personal work with the officers of the Millinery Jobbers' Association of Chicago. He has been so successful, by repeated visits and letters, that some of the largest retail dry-goods establishments in Chicago will not display aigrettes in their show windows, nor sell them. All honor to them for their stand! Mr. Deane took up the matter of the use of bird plumes as millinery ornaments with Mr. Frederick Bode, president of the Millinery Jobbers' Association, with the following result:
"Dear Sir: At the convention of our Association held in Louisville November 9 and 10, after considerable discussion, in which was brought forward the fact that some houses sell aigrettes and others do not, both retail and wholesale, it was finally brought to a focus, and the following resolution was adopted:
"Whereas, We realize that the Audubon Societies of the United States are engaged in the laudable work of preserving from destruction and extinction song-birds and certain other species, upon high moral grounds, and that largely through their influence many of the states have passed restrictive laws on the subject, and,
"Whereas, There is a decided variation among the states in the subject matter of these laws, and in their interpretation and administration,
"Therefore, Be it resolved by the Millinery Jobbers' Association in convention assembled,
"First, That we approve of the prohibition of the sale of song-birds, Gulls, Terns,
