352 Pictures of Bird Life 



Some of the beccli-trees in this forest, especially 

 those in the sheltered Atilleys, were of enormous size, and 

 extremely difficult to climb, owing- to tlie growth of moss 

 and lichen wliich encrusted their trunks. This comes off 

 directly it is grasped, and we found any swarming simply 

 impossible. One inmiense tree defied our utmost efforts, 

 thougli there was a buzzard's nest nearly at tlic top. \\e 

 spent an hour in unavailing efforts to tlirow a rope over the 

 lower branches, and were finally compelled to give it up. 

 Unfortunately mc had omitted to bring any climbing-irons. 

 The whole time we were there the two Buzzards were 

 sailing round in circles, and the hillsides resounded with 

 their plaintive, mewing cries. After some time a Goshawk, 

 which proved to be nesting in the vicinity, daslied out in 

 pursuit, and with sliarp and angry cry and menacing atti- 

 tude fairly dro\'e away for a while the Buzzards from the 

 neigbourhood of their own nest. 



Tliis Goshawk's nest we afterwards visited, and found it 

 empty. It liad also been robbed ; for we saw the egg— 

 desthied for Copenhagen with tlie rest. The culprit in this 

 business was the son of the head forester, who. ])orn and 

 bred in tlie forest, could climb like any cat. 



Xo wonder the larger birds are getting scarce, — the 

 Black Storks reduced to one or, at the most, two pairs for 

 the whole of Denmark, the Sea-eagle to one pair, and 

 the Kites, Ospreys, and Goshawks gradually diminishing 

 in numbers ; for Denmark has few extensive forest districts, 

 except on some of the numerous islands. 



