promptly ruled out certain types of
machines which were regarded as unsuitable. In this instance the process
of elimination created considerable surprise, inasmuch as it involved an
embargo on the use of certain machines, which under peace conditions
had achieved an international reputation, and were held to represent the
finest expression of aeronautical science in France as far as aeroplane
developments are concerned.

Possibly the German machine which is most familiar, by name, to the
general public is the Taube, or, as it is sometimes called, the Etrich
monoplane, from the circumstance that it was evolved by the Austrian
engineer Igo Etrich in collaboration with his colleague Wels. These two
experimenters embarked on the study of dynamic flight contemporaneously
with Maxim, Langley, Kress, and many other well-known pioneers, but it
was not until 1908 that their first practical machine was completed.
Its success was instantaneous, many notable flights being placed to its
credit, while some idea of the perfection of its design may be gathered
from the fact that the machine of to-day is substantially identical
with that used seven years ago, the alterations which have been effected
meanwhile being merely modifications in minor details.

The design of this machine follows very closely the lines of a bird in
flight--hence its colloquial description, "Taube," or "dove." Indeed the
analogy to the bird is so close that the ribs of the frame resemble the
feathers of a bird. The supporting plane is shaped in the manner of
a bird's distended wing, and is tipped up at the rear ends to ensure
stability. The tail also resembles that of a bird very closely.

This aeroplane, especially the latest type, is very speedy, and it has
proved extremely reliable. It is very sharp in turning and extremely
sensitive to its rudder, which renders it a first-class craft for
reconnoitring duty. The latest machines are fitted with motors
developing from 120 to 150 horse-power.

The "Taube" commanded attention in Germany for the reason that it
indicated the first departure from the adherence to the French designs
which up to that time had been followed somewhat slavishly, owing to the
absence of native initiative.

The individuality of character revealed in the "Taube" appealed to the
German instinct, with the result that the machine achieved a greater
reputation than might have been the case had it been pitted against
other types of essenti