THE IMMEDIATE PRELIMINARIES OF THE CONVENTION 
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cases, absolutely opposite opinions concerning the usefulness 
and noxiousness of the various species: in the words of the 
reports „ hardly had one finished his brilliant lecture proving 
the usefulness of one species, when another rose and just 
as brilliantly proved the undoubted noxiousness of the same 
species." 
This was a clear proof of the want of biological research 
based on direct experience, a fact which produced results in 
the further development of the cause. 
The epitome of the text of the draft of the convention as 
finally adopted is as follows: 
§ 1. Deals with the schedules of birds voted useful or 
noxious, but recognises the right of signatory States to 
enlarge the schedules to meet the requirements of their own 
interests. 
§ 2. Protects nests, broods and fledglings, but admits the 
right of independent regulations concerning houses and the 
interior of courtyards. 
§ 3. Prohibits instruments adapted to the wholesale taking 
of birds (expressis verbis: „la destruction en masse des 
oiseaux"), viz. nets, gins, snares, bird-lime etc. 
§ 4. Deals with the enforcing of the foregoing clause, 
which may be done gmdatim: but the prohibition remains 
in force as ultimate aim. 
§ 5. Arranges for close season for birds to be protected, 
to last from March 1 to Sept. 15, except in cases provided 
for in §§ 8 — 9; regulates import, transport and „transito" 
traffic. 
§ 6. Defines modifications permissible by authorities. 
§ 7. Defines exceptions to be made in the interests of 
science and regulates the keeping of living birds. 
§ 8. Contains regulations relating to the poultry yard, 
winged game, birds living on preserves, guns and sale. 
Herman: Conv. for the Prot. of Birds. 8 
