| International Standard Book Number |
9781250286901 electronic book
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| International Standard Book Number |
9781250286895 hardcover
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| International Standard Book Number |
1250286891 hardcover
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| Personal Name |
McCommons, James H., 1957- author.
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| Title Statement |
The feather wars : and the great crusade to save America's birds / James H. McCommons.
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| Edition Statement |
First edition.
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| Production, Publication, Distribution, Manufacture, and Copyright Notice |
New York : St. Martin's Press, an imprint of St. Martin's Publishing Group, 2026.
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| Physical Description |
xxii, 393 pages, 16 unnumbered leaves of unnumbered plates : illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm.
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| Bibliography, Etc. Note |
Includes bibliographical references (pages [347]-379) and index.
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| Formatted Contents Note |
Preface: 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 -- The Reelfoot 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 -- Epilogue: The crisis today.
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| Summary, Etc. |
"'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.
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| Summary, Etc. |
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.
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| Subject Added Entry - Topical Term |
Birds Conservation History 19th century. United States
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| Subject Added Entry - Topical Term |
Birds Conservation History 20th century. United States
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| Subject Added Entry - Topical Term |
Feather industry History 19th century. United States
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| Subject Added Entry - Topical Term |
Feather industry History 20th century. United States
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| Subject Added Entry - Topical Term |
Fowling History 19th century. United States
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| Subject Added Entry - Topical Term |
Fowling History 20th century. United States
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| Index Term-Genre/Form |
Informational works.
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