Vig Károly: Zoological Research in Western Hungary. A history (Szombathely, 2003)
Phylum Vertebrata 177 saved (SCHENK 1918a, 1921b, 192 le, 1922b, 1924b, 1929c, 1930g and 1934d). For several species, he investigated former nesting conditions and present distribution in Hungary. These included the two egrets just mentioned (SCHENK 1918a), the Mediterranean gull (Lams melanocephalus — SCHENK 1916b), common eider (Somateria mollissima — SCHENK 1920b), serin (Serinus serinus — SCHENK 1926b and 1926c), Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus — SCHENK 1930b) and Anser neglectus 33 (SCHENK 1929b and 1930c). Although his surname was known worldwide, he decided to Hungarianize his name to VÖNÖCZKY in 19 3 9. He died in Kőszeg in 1945 after a long illness and was buried in the cemetery there, near the tomb of ISTVÁN CHERNÉL. 34 Longer-term surveys of Fertő began with the arrival of IVÁN KIRÁLY in 1913 at Bogyoszló and then Csorna. His attention was focused both on Fertő (KIRÁLY 1924, 1930a, 1931a, 1931b, 1934a, 1934b, 1938b and 1955a) and the Hanság (KIRÁLY 1955b, 1955c and 1957). GYÖRGY BREUER had to flee in 1919 from Transylvania to Brennbergbánya, where he worked until 1944, 35 examining the hills as well as the lake. His work drew attention to the presence of several rare species in the Sopron vicinity (BREUER 1926a, 1926b, 1926c, 1928a, 1928b, 1928c, 1928d, 1928e, 1929, 1934, 1937b, 1939, 1950a and 1950b). Hungary's loss of territory after the First World War also caused a migration from Banská Stiavnica (Selmecbánya) to Sopron by the Forestry College (forerunner of today's Universitiy of Western Hungary in Sopron), several of whose teaching staff were keen ornithologists. The forestry engineer PÁL VOLLNHOFER discovered the woodchat shrike (Lanius senator) in the Sopron Hills. Another professor with a keen incidental interest in birds was the hydrobiologist LAJOS VARGA (1930b, 1931a and 1939b). Later there also came a short ornithological communication from ZOLTÁN IGMÁNDY (1974). The 1919 Treaty of Saint Germain and the 1921 plebiscite in Sopron and eight nearby villages meant that most of Lake Fertő was ceded to Austria, except for a small section in the south. Research was stimulated by the establishment of the Association of Hungarian Ornithologists in 192 7. 36 IVÁN KIRÁLY and GYÖRGY BREUER also acted as wardens of Association observation posts (BREUER 1930a, 1930b, 1934 and 1937a; MOSZ 1930a and 1930b). Other notable members of the Association 33 The status of the taxon Anser neglectus remains disputed. Long considered a separate species, it is bulkier, with a darker trunk and longer bill, than the bean goose (A. fabalis), and has a dark-red bill ring and legs. Several specimens were shot in Hungary, mainly in the Hortobágy. These days it is thought to be a mutation of A. fabalis or a transitional form. Its breeding grounds are largely unknown. See KEVE, A. 1958. Anseriformes —Lúdalkatúak. In SZÉKESSY, V. ed. Aves —Madarak. Magyarország Állatvilága— Fauna Hungáriáé XXI(3), 35 pp. Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó. 34 CSABA, J. 1980. Emlékezés Vönöczky-Schenk Jakabra (In memory of JVS). Savaria a Vas megyei Múzeumok Értesítője (1975-6) 9-10:75-7. 35 VARGA, L. 1956. Breuer György (1887-1955). Soproni Szemle 10:84-6; KEVE, A. 1963. Csörgey Titusz és Breuer György emlékezete (In memory of TCs and GyB). Állattani Közlemények 50:1-5. 36 Magyar Ornithológusok Szövetsége (MOSZ).
