Definition of "femina"

The numbers are given here to show all the whites together, and then the feminas, &c.; but in sending them to market it is better to arrange the numbers so that a lot of whites are followed by a lot of feminas, then a lot of whites again, then a lot of fancy colours, then whites again, and so on right through.

1881, Arthur Douglass, “Preparing the Feathers for Market”, in Ostrich Farming in South Africa. Being an Account of Its Origin and Rise; How to set about it; The Profits to be derived; How to Manage the Birds; The Capital required; the Diseases and Difficulties to be met with, &c. &c., London, Paris, New York, N.Y.: Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co.; London: S. W. Silver & Co., […], page 84

Feathers. — The auctions will comprise 3168 cases, containing 58,000lbs., against 53,800lb. in last sales. There was a good demand, and white and white and light Femina best quality were firm, seconds and inferior 10s. to 15s. per lb. higher.

1895 June 12, “London Produce”, in Liverpool Mercury, and Lancashire, Cheshire, and General Advertiser, number 14,803, Liverpool, page 8, column 6

A noticeable feature of the sales was the quantity of fine goods, principally of white and feminas. The best white qualities and good broken brought 10 per cent. to 15 per cent. advance, while other qualities sold firmly. White and light femina were also 10 to 15 per cent. dearer, principally for the best lines. Dark femina and byocks were 10 per cent. higher.

1899 September 8, “The Ostrich Feather Market”, in Democrat and Chronicle, 67th year, Rochester, N.Y., page 15, column 5

3.—Wing-Quills or Remiges; Whites and Feminas.—The wing-quills are the largest feathers in the wing, and are arranged in a single row. They include the “Whites” in the cock, and the “Feminas” in the hen, as well as the “Byocks” or “Fancies” in the cock.

1909, Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope, page 514

The usual kinds of ostrich feathers known to the trade come into the Tripoli market. These are whites, blacks, feminas, byocks, spadonas, boos, drabs and floss.

1909 August 12, “Ostrich Feathers of Tripoli”, in Neenah Daily Times, volume 53, number 8,451, Neenah, Wis., Menasha, Wis., column 5

The feminas brought from $97.35 to $109.50, while spadones were sacrificed at from $34 to $47.45.

1912 July 17, The Boston Daily Globe, volume LXXXII, number 17, Boston, Mass., page 16, column 5

It is somewhat larger than the Southern bird and the plumage of young birds and also the feminas are darker.

1913, The Agricultural Journal of British East Africa, page 8

RAW OSTRICH FEATHERS / Primes, Wings, White Feminas, Spads, Etc.

1921 September 7, The New York Times, volume LXX, number 23,237, New York, N.Y., page 24, column 6

This parcel included 286 lbs. of feathers known as whites, and 211 lbs. of feathers known as feminas. The whites are described as lot 12, and the feminas as lot 13.

1923, South African Law Reports. Cape Provincial Division: Decisions of the Supreme Court of South Africa (Cape of Good Hope Provincial Decision)., page 532