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their best (a) to preserve as far as possible the existing breeding places; 

 (b) to provide suitable breeding places. 



The " Commission for Furthering the Protection of Birds," appointed 

 by the Union of the German Societies for the protection of animals, will, 

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

 of birds in Germany. Its officers are : Professor Grosz, teacher of 

 Forestry at theForstakademie,Tharandt, Saxony (president) ; Max Rabe, 

 Leipsic, Weststrasse 91 (secretary) ; Pfarrer Otto Kleinschmidt ; and 

 Major Henrici. This Commission keeps in touch with the Seebach ex- 

 perimental station and has set itself the task of examining everything 

 new, whether practical or theoretical, that is suggested for the pro- 

 tection of birds, and giving an unbiased opinion purely from the 

 expert's 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, or to the experimental station at Seebach. 



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. 



