Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1910-07-10
SCIENTISTS URGE
BIRD PROTECTION
0rnithoIogistS at International
Meeting Name Committee to
Devise Plan of Action

BERLIN, July 9.-The fifth inter
national pathological congress, just
held here, must be classed as one of
the most successful gatherings of its
kind. About $50 ornithologists from
different parts, of the world enrolled
themselves as members, and of these
nearly four-fifths took part in the pro-
ceedings under the presidency of Prof.
Anton Reichenow The king of Bull
Bavaria were honorary presidents.
King Ferdinand sent telegram ex-
pressing his warm sympathy with the
work and the princess was represented
by her brother, Prince Conrad
The subject of PROF. Reichenow's
presidential address was the progress
of ornithology during the past $50
years. He treated of the increase in
the number of genera, and the i'm
proved methods of description, touch
ing on nomenclature, fossil birds and
faunistic literature, and pointing out
the need of a comprehensive book on
the birds of South America, which he
suggested might follow the lines of
Buffers Birds of New Zealand"
After a reference to Palmen's work in
1874 he gave an outline of what had
been done in obserVihN lines of migra-
tion and referred to the work of agri-
culturists in throwing light on the
moulting and the breeding habits and
the young of variocs species, and
dwelt on the necessity from scientific
and economic points of view.
DR.. Hartert of the firing museum
opened the first section with paper
on the duties of a scientific ornitholo-
gist, especially with regard to the de-
scription of new forms. w. Roths-
child read paper on the present
distribution of the ostriches and their
allies, as compared with their
range in former times. Baron Loudon
described bird life in Talysch and
Transcaspia, where he found storks
wintering; DR.. Van Oort spoke on new
species obtained by DR.. Lorentz in New
Guinea the Rev. F. c. r. Jourdain
gave an account of the birds of Cor
sica and the Dobrudscha, and num-
Der of contributions dealt with the ex
tension of range Of certain passerine
birds in Europe.
CONDITIONS HAVE CHANGED
Migration was treated by high au-
thorities at considerable length. Herr
Schenk gave some account of the work
of investigation carried on at Budapest,
and Otto Herman explained the OPP
erations of the Royal Hungarian
archaeological bureau, with special ref
erence to bird marking. In a general
the German observatory at Rossitten,
described the results obtained by
marking different species, in order to
ascertain their migration routes.
DR.. Weigold of the Biological insti-
tute, Heigoland, told of his endeavor
to establish a bird station on that
island, on the model of Rossitten. His
paper dealt with the changed condi-
tions since Gatkes time. The popula
cd
part of the Oberland is covered with
houses, barracks and Notifications, so
that the open tracts practically have
disappeared Nevertheless, he is of the
opinion that Investigations might be
protitably carried on especially as to
the movements of the Woodcock and
some other species
DIR. Heinroth spoke on the biology of
the ducks, geese and swans, principally
with regard to their stages of plumage
and breeding habits; and Mrs. Helm
roth detailed her experiences in breed
ing the nightjar (of which she reared
two broods in one Year, and keeping
the bee-eater, the hobby, the grass
hopper warbler (the young birds of
the last-named species being hand
reared from the nest. and some other
species. Herr Capeks collection of
cuckoos' eggs comprising 900 speCi-
probably is only less extensive than
that made by the late DR.. Eugen Rey.
Rittmeister Won Lucanus and Herr
braun contributed some interesting in
formation on the psychology of birds,
based on observations made on differ
ent species kept in cages or aviaries.
PROTECTION NECESSARY
DR.. Rorig set forth the scientific rea-
sons for bird protection, laying special
stress on the duty of safeguarding
such species as were economically use
full to man. DIR. Heuss advocated an
international union of the bird pro-
lection societies in all countries. Pro
fessor Schweber showed how much
shooting men could do to promote a
reasonable scheme of bird protection.
Professor Schillings, the famous AT
rican traveller, spoke of the necessity
of prohibiting the importation of skins
and feathers of "plumage" birds, and
eventually secured a resolution in Ia
vor of his view, though DR.. Rorig was
of opinion that each state should take
independent action Mr.. James Buck
land lectured on the destruction of wild
birds in general throughout the world,
and the pressing necessity of an inter
national conference to consider the
whole question. Eventually com
mittee, consisting of representatives of
various European countries ana the
United States, was appointed, and the
matter will be dealt with by the in
ternational pathological committee.
The necessity for action of some kind
was very clearly brought out.
The next congress will be held at
Seraievo in 1916, under the presidency
of Otmar Reiser, keeper of the natural
history department of the National
Bosnian museum.
Mrs Bacon-I don't know what we are GO
ing to make Of Tommle He's always sleep
ing!
Mr. Bacon-Perhaps he'll be night watch
man when he grows up.-Yonlers Statesman.