SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE INTERN. CONVENTION 181 
1876. The Austro-Hungarian Foreign Ministry commences an 
action in favour of the „ Declaration'', on the basis of 
the Protocol. 
The majority of the states find difficulties in the way 
of carrying the project through. 
Switzerland and France definitely join the movement. 
Most of the countries, however, decide to wait until 
the passing of the German Imperial Bill. 
1884. First International Ornithological Congress at Vienna, 
under the patronage of the Crown Prince Rudolf. Very 
exhaustive treatment of the question of the international 
protection of birds. 
1 . The aesthetic interest is placed side by side with 
the economic one, to which it is to be subsidiary 
only when the latter is vital. 
All birds to be protected, exceptis excipiendis. 
(Altiim.) 
2. A set of prohibitory statutes to be arranged. (Fatio.) 
3. Convention urged; some conditions suggested. 
(Borggreve.) 
4. The representative of the Italian Government declares 
that he must abide by the ^Declaration" of 1875. 
5. The decision of the Congress is a compromise, 
the 2 points of which are far behind that of 1873. 
6. A Permanent International Ornithological Com- 
mittee (PIOC) organised, entrusted with the cre- 
ation of a network of observatories and the pre- 
liminaries of the following Congress. 
7. Budapest chosen as the scene of the Second 
International Ornithological Conrgess. 
1887. The organisation of the Second Congress taken over 
by the Hungarian Ministry of Public Instruction: date 
fixed, 1888. Bitter conflict between the Pres. and Sec. 
