RATIONAL BIRD PROTECTION 379- 



Titmouse, the Marsh Titmouse, and Crested Titmouse, 

 because all these birds are likely nesting-box dwellers. 

 The method organised by Baron von Berlepsch, and 

 used in Hungary by Minister Daranyi, with slight 

 alterations, is intended to bring the vanishing singing 

 birds back again. By the use of different sized nest- 

 boxes it is possible to collect different kinds of birds, 

 I know by experience that by arranging the bushes in 

 close, twisted branches we can get the useful and singing 

 Whitethroats to build their nests. 



The importance of a rational study of this question of 

 the protection of birds, with particular regard to their 

 economic significance in given districts, has been 

 demonstrated in Southern Victoria in a remarkable 

 manner, where great mistakes have been made by settlers 

 who seem to have been desirous of encouraging our own 

 British birds about their homesteads. To take steps 

 which resulted in the nesting of a colony of Fieldfares in 

 a district where they had so far been unknown to breed, 

 as Baron von Berlepsch did, was most advantageous, 

 since the Fieldfares drove the murderous Shrike from 

 the field. Again, by fixing up artificial nesting-boxes,, 

 made according to this great naturalist's pattern on 

 stakes placed in certain districts of North Germany, 

 ninety per cent, of these became inhabited by Titmice,, 

 until that time strangers to the region, where, however* 

 their services were most desirable. 



On the other hand, Greenfinches, which were introduced 

 into Southern Victoria by Australian settlers twenty-five 

 years ago, took possession of the pine trees, which were 

 the only trees that afforded enough shade and cover, and 

 were the nearest approach there to their usual nesting- 



