Vig Károly: Zoological Research in Western Hungary. A history (Szombathely, 2003)

Phylum Vertebrata 191 BOLYAI (1940) and for its plant life by REZSŐ SOÓ.

46 JAKAB SCHENK is associated with protection for the great white egret (Egretta alba), through a campaign that went beyond rescuing a species from the brink of extinction in Hungary to become a symbol of Hungarian environmental protection. For his 'egret-rescue' work turned him into one of the foremost environmental campaigners (SCHENK 1922b, 1924b, 1930g, 1934d and 1935). In the 1930s, LAJOS VARGA waged a doughty struggle for several decades against Austrian plans to drain Fertő. His writings, displaying cogent scientific arguments and great literary ability, were successful in warding off the plans (VARGA 1930c-p, 1931a, 1931b, 1931d, 1932b, 1933a-d, 1936b, 1937 and 1939b). Other notable local writers also championed Fertő (BORSICZKY 1930a, 1930b and 1931; FEILER 1930). Although it extends beyond the subject-matter of this book, it is worth mentioning the draining of the Hanság, which utterly altered the district with effects felt to this day, despite all the efforts to protect the environment.

47 It is important to mention that work also appeared on the Austrian side of the lake stressing the importance of environmental protection, which knows no frontiers (STEINPARZ 1926; STRÓBL 1928-9; IRLWECK 1930a and 1930b; PENZ 1932 and 1933; NAUMANN 1939; MEISINGER 1947 and 1950; MACHURA 1936 and 1948; AUMÜLLER 1950 and 1969; FESTETICS 1968; OHRENBERGER 1971). It is not fortuitous that the efforts of researchers and environmentalists on both sides of the border, after decades of working relations, brought forth the Fertő-Hanság National Park as a cross-border institution for protecting the natural assets of Fertő and the Hanság (CSAPODY and KÁRPÁTI 1989; KÁRPÁTI 1990 and 1994). Ornithological research in the Sopron Hills and Sopron district The beginnings of ornithological research in Sopron (the work of G.A. SCOPOLI and MÁTYÁS BÉL) have been mentioned in Chapter 2. It was noted that the first piece of applied ornithological data in Hungary was supplied by BÉL in 1723, when he noted the damage to Sopron vineyards done by starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in 1718. However, starling damage had been mentioned much earlier. For instance, it was recorded in Sopron in 1602 that 'the vintage began even before Michaelmas because the starlings were doing great harm to the grapes' (FAUTH). Similar damage occurred in 1660, when 'the starlings did great damage, but people could not defend themselves against them' (PAYR). Reports of starling damage to vineyards by Fertő in the 18th century can be found in an article by ENDRE CSATKAI (1965). JAKAB SCHENK (1920C) discussed the 'bird foes' of the vineyards by Fertő. 46 Soó, R. 1937. Pusztuló magyar tájak (Hungarian landscapes being destroyed). Búvár Ъ:Ъ-7 and 168-71. 47 KÁROLYI, Z. 1957. A Fertő és Hanság vízügyi kérdéseinek mai állása (Present state of Fertő and Hanság water-management issues). Soproni Szemle 11:34-43; BORONKAI, P. 1968. A Fertő tó megmentése (Saving Lake Fertő). Soproni Szemle 22:61-4; ZÁDOR, A. 1982. A Hanság lecsapolásának története (History of the draining of the Hanság). Soproni Szemle 36:338-48.