376 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



measure of protection to which the English sparrow (now a 

 well-known denizen of New York) is entitled ; but it was ad- 

 mitted that its benefits far outweigh the injuries that it may 

 occasionally produce. 



The general, theoretical measures recommended in connec- 

 tion with the protection of birds were: 1. General instruc- 

 tion in the nature and influence of native animals and birds. 

 2. Promotion of instruction in natural history by the intro- 

 duction of an exhaustive manual of zoology and botany in 

 the educational course of public and high schools. 3. Pro- 

 motion of and an active interest in the rational efforts of so- 

 cieties for the protection of animals. 4. Dissemination of 

 useful knowledge in this direction through free distribution 

 of good books by the government and societies for the gen- 

 eral weal. 5. Especially the distribution of a popular, com- 

 pendious, well-illustrated manual and hand-book of native 

 animals and plants to all foresters, village school-teachers, 

 rural clergymen, and other persons of local influence. 6. Es- 

 tablishment of small collections iu schools for the purpose 

 of object-teaching. 



The following resolutions were unanimously adopted : 

 "The International Congress of Land and Forest Cultnr- 

 ists, assembled at Vienna, resolve to petition the Austrian 

 government to secure the protection of birds which are ac- 

 knowledged as useful to land and forest culture by interna- 

 tional treaties with other states, under consideration of the 

 following points as bases: 1. The capture and killing of in- 

 sect-devouring birds are unconditionally forbidden. 2. It is 

 desirable that a special list of the names of such birds as 

 should be protected be published by an International Com- 

 mission composed of men acquainted with the subject. 3. 

 The capture of birds which are for the most part grain-eat- 

 ers shall be permitted from the 1st of March to the 15th of 

 September. 4. The capture of birds by means of slings and 

 snares, of whatever kind, is totally forbidden. 5. The taking 

 of eggs and young, as w^ell as the destruction of nests of all 

 birds, w r ith the exception of the injurious species, are forbid- 

 den. A list of all injurious birds shall be published by the 

 above-named commission. 6. The public sale of dead or 

 live insect-eating birds is forbidden at all seasons, as well 

 as the sale of all other species of birds during the season 



