THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC CONGRESS AT VIENNA, 1873. 47 
In concluding his speech, Brehm advired the inclusion in 
the scheme of popular teaching of some means of acquainting 
the public at large with birds, for, in his opinion, no pro- 
tection could be more effective than that resulting from an 
enlightenment of the masses. 
He proposed therefore: 
The compilation of a little book furnished with artistic 
pictures, to provide a knowledge of birds and plants, to be 
distributed, through the intervention of the respective govern- 
ments, among clergymen, foresters, the heads of institutes 
and other persons who could impart instruction to young 
people: the distribution should be gratis. 
Straten-Ponthoz, of Belgium, agreed with Brehm and 
emphasised the fact that in Belgium there were laws and 
regulations for the protection not only of birds but of useful 
mammals too (e. g. the mole). 
Blomeyer, of Leipsic, supported the appointment of a 
committee and proposed the following points: 
1. The protection of useful birds to be the duty of the 
State. 
2. The laws should be modified to meet the progress of 
civilisation. 
3. The Committee should sit at once and communicate 
its decisions to the Austrian Minister of Agriculture, who 
should notify the respective governments of the same. 
Bossi-Fedriootti, of Rovereto, approved of the idea of 
classification. Useful birds should be protected, the taking 
of the others should be allowed; the time for taking, how- 
ever, should be limited. 
Though he too emphasised the agricultural point of view, 
he pointed out that, since in Italy, owing to a lack of forests, 
there was no shooting, the population could not be absolu- 
tely forbidden to catch birds. Prohibition was all the more 
