96



International Ornithological Congress



vital time and to report progress. Members of the public who wish to adopt

a nest could choose the species which they most wished to protect and

arrangements could be made for them to visit the nest just before the young

were ready to fly. If any of your readers are interested in this scheme will

they please communicate with Mr. Robert Blockey, of the Educational

Museum, Haslemere, Surrey ?


Rightly or wrongly birds have been blamed for the introduction of foot-

and-mouth disease into this country. If birds are responsible, Starlings, from

their habit of associating with sheep and cattle, are undoubtedly the culprits.

We are anxious to settle this point as soon as possible, as otherwise we fear

that there may be an indiscriminate destruction of our immigrant birds,

including Fieldfares, Redwings, etc. We have suggested to those engaged in

investigating foot-and-mouth disease experiments which will decide whether

it is possible for Starlings to spread this disease.


By collecting pellets, thrown up by birds of prey, from all parts of the

country and having them analysed, we hope to prove that the majority of

these birds are more beneficial than harmful to game preservers. To make

the test a fair one these pellets would have to be collected in the breeding

season, say from March to July.


N. Tracy, M.B.O.U.,


Hon. Secretary .



INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL

CONGRESS


Monsieur Jean Delacour, secretary of the IX International Ornitho¬

logical Congress, announces that preparations are being actively made,

and that the Congress will be well attended. Members are requested

to call at the registration office, Hotel des Societes Savantes, rue

St. Lo, Rouen, on the afternoon of Sunday, 8th May, or the morning

of Monday, 9th May, where they may pay their registration fees and

will receive their badges, invitations, programmes, etc.


All arrangements for travel, hotel reservations, and excursions

are in the hands of Messrs. Wagons Lits/Cooks and very great reductions

on all rates have been obtained for members of the Congress. From

London to Rouen, Paris the Carmargue axid return, the inclusive

cost will amount to about £15 to £22 per person according to class

of travel and hotel. Members are advised to communicate with

Messrs. Thomas Cook, Berkeley Street, London, W. 1, giving as reference

P.O.D. 8449/NS.


Monsieur Delacour particularly requests that all intending to become

members of the Congress shall send their names to him at Chateau de

Cleres, Cleres, Seine Inferieure, France, as soon as possible, as this will

greatly facilitate the organization of the Congress.



