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in the future, play an important part in the history of the protection 

 of birds in Germany. Its officers are : Dr. Falke, Professor of Agri- 

 culture at the University of Leipsic (president) ; Max Rabe, Leipsic, 

 Auenstrasse 13 (secretary) ; Prof. Otto Kleinschmidt ; and Major 

 Henrici. This Commission has set itself the task of examining 

 everything new, whether practical or theoretical, that is suggested 

 for the protection of birds, and giving an unbiassed opinion purely 

 from the experts' point of view. It is thus the enquiry office for 

 the protection of birds, and all enquiries should be addressed to the 

 secretary, Max Rabe. 



The names of the members are sufficient guarantee that their object 

 will be attained. If a practical test requires a long time, it will be 

 carried out at the Seebach experimental station, which Baron von 

 Berlepsch has placed at the disposal of the Commission for this 

 purpose. 



It is therefore to the advantage of the cause, and also of the general 

 public, if all doubtful cases are referred to the Commission. 



Even if official bodies, societies, and individuals are active in the 

 cause of bird-protection, the chief thing has still to be effected the 

 great masses of the people must be won. 



Intelligent people who are seeking for an intermediary who shall 

 introduce the established ideas on bird-protection to the masses, will 

 naturally think of the schools. " Teachers and clergymen are the 

 most competent people to act as ornithological pioneers," says Baron 

 von Berlepsch, with a clear understanding of the matter ; and teachers, 

 as well as ornithologists, must acknowledge that not only the 

 cause of the protection of birds, but the character and disposition 

 of the children are greatly benefited by suitable instruction in this 

 subject. 



It is not a question of inflicting a new burden or a worthless 

 theory on teacher and pupil. It is possible to combine the awakening 

 of an understanding for a sound protection of birds with the usual 

 school routine ; and, besides, we are not dealing with experiments, but 

 with established facts that have been well tested. 



A teacher need not necessarily become a naturalist in order to further 

 the cause of bird-protection. He must possess a love of the cause, be 

 an attentive observer of Nature, and must conscientiously prepare for 

 every lesson. It is by no means necessary to study learned works, 



F 



