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Hungary, Italy,* Sweden, Russia, Finland, Holland, America, Japan, 

 and other countries, all of which take the greatest interest in the 

 protection of birds. 



It is significant that the measures taken by the respective States 

 for the protection of birds are based on the principles of Baron von 

 Berlepsch, a fact which is sufficiently proved by the numerous 

 translations of his work.f 



The Hungarian Board of Agriculture, at the instigation of Herr 

 Otto Herman, the well-known head of the Hungarian Ornithological 

 Central Bureau, actually sent a University man, Herr Titus Csorgey, 

 to Seebach, in order that he might study thoroughly the experimental 

 station there. Recently the representatives of various German States 

 have repeatedly stayed at Seebach for this purpose. It is to be hoped 

 that this example will be followed elsewhere. Observations made on 

 the spot are far more effective than books. There can be no doubt 

 that those who have seen the arrangements at Seebach, and the 

 marvellous results which they have produced, will be convinced, once 

 for all, of the correctness of the methods employed. 



The active interest which is taken on all sides in the protection 

 of birds is undoubtedly a plain proof of its great importance ; 

 but it may not be out of place to bring forward a few reasons to 

 justify it. 



II. REASONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 



THE protection of birds is first of all of importance from the point of 

 view of the political economist. This has been sufficiently demonstrated 

 by the thorough investigations which were carried out at an earlier 

 period as well as recently. A few of the newest and most irrefutable 

 proofs will be found on pp. 46 and 47 ; for the rest the reader is referred 



* It may cause some surprise that Italy is mentioned here, as, unfortunately, 

 bird-catching still nourishes in that country. But a change for the better has 

 already taken place there ; the educated classes are quite aware of the injury 

 it causes, and are trying to instruct the people by lectures and writings. Many 

 nesting-boxes have been hung up on private property, especially near vineyards ; 

 and shelter-woods for birds, in accordance with the principles laid down by Baron 

 von Berlepsch, have been planted. There are also four journals which advocate 

 the cause of the protection of birds. 



f " Der gesammte Vogelschutz, seine Begriindung und Ausfiihrung." 



