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remaining woods like a green oasis. At a distance of a little more than 

 a quarter of a mile farther the first traces of the plague were apparent, 

 and at the same distance farther on still it was in full force. It was a 

 plain proof of the distance the tits and their companions had gone during 

 the winter, and after their breeding time. 



The case was so plain that Baron von Berlepsch considered it of 

 sufficient importance to send a report to the Prussian Board of Agri- 

 culture in order that it might be placed on record. Similar observations 

 were made during a plague of Tortrix viridana in 1906 in the Crown 

 wood Harras,in the Grand Duchy of Hesse, where the protection of birds 

 has been carried on in a sensible and energetic fashion during the last 

 few years. The abundant use of nesting-boxes in the Prussian woods 

 has, during the last two years, brought about in some places a sensible 

 decrease in cockchafers and Tortrix viridana by means of starlings. 



If we turn from woods to agriculture and fruit-growing, the ex- 

 perimental station at Seebach again affords an eloquent and well- 

 authenticated testimony. 



The same good fruit crops have been obtained for many years in 

 those places which have been longest and most abundantly provided 

 with nesting-boxes, and where most of the trees have grown up with 

 the protection of birds. Although the whole neighbourhood frequently 

 suffered from caterpillars, the trees, inhabited by tits and other birds 

 nesting in the boxes, always escaped. 



The inhabitants of the neighbouring viUage soon noticed this, and 

 also began to hang up boxes. Now all the gardens are fuU of them, 

 and the people maintain that since then the caterpillar plague has con- 

 siderably decreased in their neighbourhood. It is worth noting that 

 the inhabitants of that village are by no means specially fond of birds, 

 but that the protection of birds is due solely to utilitarian purposes, 

 the people having recognised the fact that the outlay for boxes was a 

 very good investment. 



These instances are established, irrefutable facts, and these actual 

 experiences are undoubtedly more eloquent than all the learning 

 displayed at the council board. 



These nesting-boxes do not require any special recommendation ; 

 the facts speak for themselves. 



I have heard frequent complaints that Berlepsch's nesting-boxes are 



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