The feather wars : and the great crusade to save America's birds / James H. McCommons.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McCommons, James H., 1957- Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Birds--Conservation--United States--History--19th century.

Birds.

Birds--Conservation--United States--History--20th century.

Feather industry--United States--History--19th century.

Feather industry.

Feather industry--United States--History--20th century.

Fowling--United States--History--19th century.

Fowling.

Fowling--United States--History--20th century.

Genre:

Informational works.

Physical Description:

xxii, 393 pages, 16 unnumbered leaves of unnumbered plates : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm.

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : St. Martin's Press, 2026.

Summary:

The Feather Wars traces the early bird-protection movement in the United States, beginning with growing public concern after the extinction of the passenger pigeon. The book examines how hunting, fashion, and assumptions about limitless natural resources contributed to declining bird populations, and how a national conservation effort emerged in response. Drawing on episodes from social gatherings, hunting communities, political arenas, and natural landscapes, the narrative highlights the diverse individuals and organizations involved in advocating for bird preservation. The work presents an overview of the cultural, political, and environmental forces that shaped early American bird-conservation efforts and their lasting impact on wildlife protection.

"'A definitive history of bird conservation in America.' (Kirkus Reviews, starred) From the time the country was founded, early Americans assumed that the land's natural resources were infinite, including its birds, which were zealously hunted for food, game, and fashion. With the rapid extinction of the passenger pigeon--a bird once so numerous that its flocks darkened the sky in flight--many realized actions needed to be taken if other birds were to be saved. What followed was both a spiritual awakening and a great crusade to save birds and their habitat. The campaign took place on many battlefields: society teas in Boston, hunt clubs on the East Coast, the mangroves in the Everglades, and in the editorial pages of newspapers and periodicals. From many corners of the country the bird protection movement was born and brought together a remarkable coalition of people and organizations to save America's birds. The Feather Wars is an entertaining and expansive work of American history, an incredible story about how disparate characters--progressive politicians, free-thinking society belles, nature writers and artists, bird-loving U.S. presidents, gunmakers, business titans, and brave game wardens--came together to save hundreds of species of birds. Heroes, martyrs, villains, and conflicted do-gooders--the early bird conservation movement had them all. Together they transformed how Americans thought and cared about birds, forever altering the American landscape"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Canada geese

The shotgun ornithologists

The tragedy of passenger pigeons

Punt guns on the Chesapeake

Oology and egg mania

Bird hats and the voyage of the Bonton

Starlings and the sparrow war

Cold storage man

John "O Birds" Burroughs

Birth of the American Ornithologists' Union and the Model Law

George Grinnell and the First Audubon Society

Florence Merriam and bird study

The ethics of Boone and Crocket

Lake surprise and all the ducks in the world

The Audubon movement redux

Mister Ned's egrets

The rise of National Audubon

Songbirds and the black hand

The Lacey Act

Pelican Island: the first bird refuge

A martyr for the cause

Bird cranks: William Finley and Herman Bohlman

TheReelfoot and the Big Lake Duck Wars

Birds as a public trust

The Weeks-McLean Act

The plumage amendment

"Backwoods horseplay": Missouri v. Holland

Ludlow Griscom and sight recognition

Flappers, bag limits, and game refuges

Rosalie Edge, Audubon, and Hawk Mountain

The Peterson system

Ding Darling and the Great Depression

The crisis today.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 347-379) and index.

Local Notes:

Athenaeum copy: Altemus Fund bookplate.

ISBN:

9781250286895

1250286891

OCLC:

1573839201