Quote Originally Posted by gilmore View Post
O, ye of little faith.

What's the difference between fake feathers and silver feathers that are part of a silver crest worn on a bonnet? Neither would mislead some one into thinking that the wearer had climbed a stony crag, fought off an eagle, robbed its nest, was therefore a brave leader of men, and needed to be seen by his followers in battle.
Oh, but we still do all of that.

The only reason for silver feathers is that big feathers are quite often awkward to wear. Although I didn't touch on this previously, clan folk usually expect their chief to be "feathered" and can be rather disappointed if he isn't. Big feathers also lead to sometimes seemingly endless confrontations with "feather experts" and "feather posers" banging endlessly on about who is-- or isn't-- or shouldn't-- or should be-- entitled to feathers. A wee badge with wee feathers eliminates about 90% of the aggro.

Of course, wearing a Panama hat eliminates 100% of the aggro, and keeps one's beak from being fried in the hot American sun-- although they are apt to be snatched off one's head when approaching a nest full of eaglets.