What is it that causes the downfall of many of the moderates, who know the common birds fairly well, and could not be hoodwinked into buying Egret's plumes or dyed swallow wings?
QUILLS TO AVOID
1. Inner wing quill of Bald Eagle; length, 10-13 inches; brownish black, more or less white at the base.
2. Outer wing quill of Bald Eagle; length, 15-24 inches; black, often whitish or brownish at the base, the broader web of the five outer quills notched, this notch being absent from the remaining quills.
3. Outer wing quill of Brown Pelican; length, 15-17 inches; black, the quill, or midrib, white for about two-thirds its length.
4. Inner wing quill of Brown Pelican; length, about 10 inches; blackish brown, the outer margins, particularly of the narrower web, frosted with silver-gray.
You can guess easily, for you have seen the tempter protruding above and behind the up-to-date outing hat the entire season, and unless you are unusually lucky it has poked you reproachfully in the eye, as if calling your attention to its plight.
"The Quill of course!"
Yes, the Quill is the mischief-maker. At its introduction many years ago, the Quill was at first the harmless feather of a Crow, or a Goose quill sedate enough to make a pen for a judge. After awhile it took on dabs of color and even spangles, but all this time it was a good safe outing and rainy day ornament.