95 



If the small holdings signify an attack on the right of individuals, 

 they also exercise a powerful influence on the agricultural character 

 of the land, often enough a bad one on nature as a whole and on the 

 world of birds in particular. Not only the landowTiers, but also 

 strangers who are not materially affected, feel this unpleasantly. It 

 is therefore quite right that the Royal General Commissions now do 

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

 (h) to provide suitable breediag places. 



I can report from personal experience on the interest taken by the 

 officials, and recommend their help being sought when necessary 

 (see pp. 68, 69). 



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 bhds m Germany. Its officers are : Professor Grosz, teacher of 

 Forestry at the Porstakademie.Thorandt, Saxony (president) ; Max Rabe, 

 Leipsio, 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 giviag an unbiased opinion purely from the 

 expert's poiat 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 wiR 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 estabhshed ideas on bird-protection to the masses, will 

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



