Prof. Blasius on the Ornithology of Heligoland. 59 



price of a specimen by false reports. It would be, therefore, 

 most interesting to science that the ornithology of Heligoland 

 should remain no longer closed to ornithologists." 



It must be admitted that von Homeyer knew very well the 

 import of his assertions. In his obscure phraseology he does not, 

 it is true, cite any name, but in the whole article he evidently 

 refers to the statements and opinions of Gaetke. Moreover, it is 

 well known that of late years Gaetke is the only person in the 

 island who has occupied himself with the science of ornithology. 

 There is, therefore, not the slightest doubt as to whom these 

 hints and insinuations are covertly addressed. 



Gaetke declares that he found in the month of February five 

 Larus minutus moulting into their white plumage ; he asks 

 whether v. Homeyer, whose views are opposed to his, has seen 

 these birds ; and observes that specimens obtained through the 

 trade cannot be relied upon. To this v. Homeyer answers by 

 hints and suspicions as to the questionable morality of the 

 Heligolanders. 



Thus stood ornithological matters in Heligoland in the past 

 year. Many statements as to what had occurred in Heligoland 

 had been made, much had been quasi-foretold by Gaetke. 

 "You see," says Gaetke again in Cabanis^ 'Journal' (1856, 

 p. 378), "the materials of our European ornis are endless." But, 

 according to v. Homeyer's assertions, it seems that this new and 

 rich mine is nothing more than a swindle based on trickery of 

 trade. And truly, if the assertions of v. Homeyer could have 

 been believed, the question of ornithology in Heligoland must 

 have entered upon a crisis from which no escape would have 

 been possible. 



But on whom was reliance to be placed ? Gaetke spoke 

 evidently from experience, being on the spot ; and from the 

 manner in which he spoke, there was no ground for supposing 

 intentional fraud. Wherever he was not quite certain as to the 

 species he made short notes, evidently founded on minute obser- 

 vation, and never ventured to employ a specific name. Moreover, 

 whatever may be the personal inclination of any person to think 

 about another, as long as there is no positive evidence to show 

 the contrary, he ought to be considered &»■ an honest man in 



