Some Observations on Bird Protection in Germany 337 



troubled, and are commonly seen about the grain-fields. Some of the shelter- 

 wood plantations in the home parks are protected by a wire box- trap, with 

 long extending wings of wire mesh approximately at right angles to each other, 

 and only a few feet high. Any prowling creature coming upon one of these 

 wings follows it up to the central trap, and, upon entering, closes the door 

 and is held fast until the arrival of the bird-keeper, who disposes of his 

 captive as may be thought best for the interests of the birds. Great vigilance 

 in this work of ^•ermin control is necessary. 



A VIEW OF POPLARS WHOSE BRANCHES ARE CUT BACK TO THE TRUNK 

 EVERY FIVE OR SIX YEARS TO FORM NESTING-SITES. ONE OR TWO NESTS OF 

 THE YEAR WERE TO BE FOUND IN PRACTICALLY EVERY TREE. 



In conclusion, it may be of interest to refer briefly to the imitation of Baron 

 von Berlepsch's methods in the forests of Hess and Baden. The writer visited 

 those in the vicinity of Frankfurt, Darmstadt, Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, and 

 Forbach, and, in all except the last, found that active measures were being 

 taken to protect and increase birds because of their economic value in the 

 forest. The von Berlepsch nesting-boxes and feeding-stations and baths were 

 in evidence, especially. It is noteworthy that in the most intensively culti- 

 vated forests 80 per cent to 90 per cent of these boxes were occupied; whereas, 

 in the forest at Baden-Baden, where there are a good many old and unsound 

 trees, which doubtless offer natural nesting cavities, not more than 25 per cent 

 or 30 per cent were said to be occupied. At Heidelberg, the Von Berlepsch 

 pruning idea is carried out on single or small groups of shrubs, the object 

 being the protection of these young plantations from insect pests. 



