98 



CONCLUSION. 



Although the increasing interest shown in the protection of birds 

 is very welcome, and though we can safely reckon on an increase in 

 the efforts in this direction, yet the most important thing is the way in 

 which this protection of birds is carried out. We must keep to the 

 principle that only that bird-protection can be of use which is the result 

 of a careful study of our birds, of an exact knowledge of their habits 

 and wants — in short, the scientific protection of birds. 



The protection of birds as described in this book is the only method 

 that comphes in all respects with these conditions. I can assert that 

 wherever, until now, a reasonable protection of birds promising success 

 is observed, it can only be because the measures of Baron von 

 BerleiDsch have been used. 



This should cause no surprise. Whoever has a close acquaintance 

 with them — whoever has seen in the Seebach collection of natural 

 and artificial A^'oodpecker holes, the experiments that have been 

 carried on for over thirty years, will be convinced that here is the 

 laborious, incessant work of a hfetime. 



I hope I have succeeded in explaining the measures so clearly and 

 comprehensively that all may find this book a safe guide, and that 

 the protection of birds, according to the ideas of Baron von Berlepsch, 

 may become general. 



This solution of the question possesses the inestimable advantage 

 that every child can help to protect birds successfully. The rules are 

 given here clearly and distinctly ; people need only follow them out 

 carefully. 



Description, explanation, and persuasion are all less effective than 

 studying the subject on the spot, where not only the arrangements 

 described in the preceding pages may be seen, but the extraordinary 

 and astonishing success that has attended them is made apparent in the 

 most convincing fashion. 



Whoever wishes to devote himself to the protection of birds, who 

 after reading the books on the subject is in any doubt, let him, this 

 book in hand, inspect the experimental station at Seebach, which is 

 open for this purpose — for words may instruct, it is true, but we can 

 only be convinced by actual facts. 



