Some forms of insect life are so prolific that but for the voracity and industry of the birds the world would become almost uninhabitable.
Bird life appeals to the eye for its beauty, to the ear for its music, and to the interest of man for its utility.

Shooting-clubs have foreseen the extermination that awaits many of the finest of the game birds, and are taking much pains to enforce the laws enacted for game protection.

A selfish interest thus is called into activity, and one class of birds is receiving protection through the aid of its own enemies.
But the birds of beautiful plumage are now threatened with extinction by the desire of womankind for personal decoration.

Against this destruction Audubon societies are organizing a crusade, and Mrs.
Patterson's principal purpose in this book is to direct attention to the wholesale slaughter of the birds of plumage and song.
The Princess of Wales was requested to write in an album her various peculiarities.

Among the inquiries was: "What is your greatest weakness ?" She answered: "Millinery." When Napoleon was banished to Elba it is stated that the fallen monarch was followed by Josephine's old millinery bills.