SIDE LIGHTS ON BIRDS 



At length the highest summit of the mountaiB 

 group is reached. At last we lie panting on this 

 uppermost peak, with the world at our feet. A 

 myriad hills are ranged around us. In the hazy- 

 distance the Jungfrau arises, and, peering 

 through a wreath of mist, stand the stern heights 

 of the Wetterhorn. And as we rest and smoke, 

 a dark cloud of birds appear around the edge of 

 the cliff below. 



Like jackdaws, but with swifter and more varied 

 evolutions in their flight, they cluster and perch 

 about the ledges of a great rock mass near at hand. 



Their red beaks and legs stand out conspicu- 

 ously against the background of stone. 



Again we murmur inwardly that, apart from the 

 marvels of hill and rock and sky, the sight of this 

 party of choughs in their native haunts would 

 have well repaid all our trouble and toil. 



214 



