38 



The following are also to be had fqr use with the boxes : key, 

 screws, bag with mixture of earth and sawdust for putting into the 

 box (everyone can make this mixture for himself), and a measure for 

 putting in the right quantity. 



The prices of the nesting-boxes are certainly very 

 moderate when we consider how difficult they are to 

 make and how lasting they are. These prices are only 

 possible because they are produced in large quantities. 

 But this is the fundamental principle of the undertaking, 

 namely, that everyone may be able to obtain them. 



MEASURE FOR ( F ) Advice regarding Nesting-boxes. 



THE EARTH 



AND SAW-DUST Unfortunately, Baron von Berlepsch refused to obtain 

 legal protection for his nesting-boxes, by means of 

 either patent or trademark. He treated the matter from an ideal, but 

 mistaken, point of view, and thought he was serving the good cause, 

 and that he would soon see nesting-boxes made and used every- 

 where, in accordance with his directions, but he was thoroughly 

 deceived. It is true that Berlepsch's nesting-boxes (so-called) appeared 

 everywhere, but the imitations have nothing in common with the 

 originals except the name, and they can be described for the most 

 part as entirely worthless. 



The name and the illustrations which are intended to mislead are 

 printed in circulars without hesitation. Generally the fraud has been 

 carried out so skilfully, that only in very few cases has it been possible 

 to reach these unscrupulous tradesmen by means of the law. 



It is exceedingly easy to cheat in regard to nesting-boxes, because 

 outwardly they all bear a fair resemblance to each other, and they can 

 only be properly tested if they are opened and sawn asunder lengthwise- 

 Compare the figures in the accompanying illustration made from 

 photographs. 



On the left are complete nesting-boxes, and a section of one by Scheid ; 

 on the right are boxes made by other manufacturers. The exterior 

 of the boxes is much the same, but what do we find when we compare 

 the interior, the boring, position of the opening, etc. ? At the bottom 

 of one box there is such a lump that it could not possibly be 

 inhabited by any bird. The box is very carelessly wrought in other 



