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My dear Sir, 29 May, 1907. 



I regret very nuich that we are not able tn see „eye to eye" in this matter of Bird 

 protection, but it would certainly be very disastrous were we to engage in open war and 

 I ame quite content that each of us shloud hold his own way of thinking on the subject 

 — especially in this with myself, for I am an old man and not given to fighting. There- 

 fore I will write nothing more now except it be to express my strongest disbelief in the 

 statement — be it made by any one in England — naturalist or not — that Hirundo rustica as 

 indeed any species of the Hirundinidae is decreasing in numbers in this country. You may 

 be sure that the ornithophagous pratices of Southern Europe atiect us in little else than 

 Coturnix and Crex, but very markedly so in regard to Coturnix. The Act of Parliament 

 which contained the clause that would have especially protected it, had that clause repealed 

 in the interest of the poulterers and gourmets, — much to my great disgust. Mr. Lemon 

 did not, 1 think, concern himself with that detail, of which he did not see the importance. 



With very great esteem, I remain 



Yours faithfully 



Alfred Newton. 



Dear Sir, • 2. June, 1907. 



In reply to your kind letter of May 29 I have to say the following: I also regret 

 very much that we are not allowed to cross swords for the good cause of helping truth to 

 its rights. It would have been a magnificent spectacle, if the old English Horseguard had 



fought a round — sine ira et studio — with the old Hungarian Hussar I am indeed past 



seventy now ! 



As regards the decrease of the chimney-swallow in England, the Royal Society for 

 the Protection of Birds (Hon. Secretary : F. 0. Lemon Esq.) issued a circular in 1904 and 

 the „Ornith. Monatsberichte" p. 170 (editor Dr. A. Reichenow) published it as follows: 



„The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (Secretary F. E. Lemon 3 Hanover 

 Square) issued a circular in which they refer to tlie decrease, during the last years, of the 

 chimney-swallow (Hirundo rustica), requesting information of any places where such decrease 

 had been likewise observed, and whether and where an excessive destruction of swallows 

 through taking them is being practised". 



I am astfuiished that it is by way of Budapest you first hear of this circular. 



As for the decrease of the chimney-swallow, this is also conspicuous and generally 

 experienced in Hungary. Our best observers, as Count Forqâch in Ghymes (Western Hungary), 

 who has been observing for 36 years, and Mr. John Csató in Nagyenyed (Eastern Hungary) 

 who has taken observations for 40 years, and then many observers throughout the country, 

 all announce the absence of the chimney swallow. The old nests in the old family manor of 

 the Chernels at Kőszeg which from time immemorial were always occupied, are empty now ! 



In the meantime the manufacture of bird-nets lias made rapid progress, they need 

 no more be coimted by the yard, but by the mile. Verbum sap. sat .... 



The quails, caught in Northern Africa by the million are shipped to Paris and 



London and the Rt. Hon Walter Rothschild treated the members of the International Orni- 

 thological Congress June 15, 1905, with young quails. 



I possess all the official reports of our southern consulates concerning the catching of 

 quails. There are quite amazing numbers ! 



I am writing this note only to prove tiiat I am well informed and that 1 know many 

 things which can not be known to everybody. 



With my best regards Yours sincerely 



0. H. 



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