M. Necker cm the Birds of Geneva. S71 



points of the African shores, for simultaneous years, the pe- 

 riodical migrations of birds would be satisfactorily ascertain- 

 ed ; many curious facts would be elicited regarding the tem- 

 perature of different regions, with which these migrations are 

 in some measure connected ; and not only would the route 

 of the birds which come from the Arctic ocean, in the end of 

 autumn, and beginning of winter, to seek shelter in our com- 

 paratively temperate climate, be easily traced, but the flight 

 of those which visit us in spring and autumn for the purpose 

 of incubation, would be with certainty known. 



There are few places, M. Necker observes, more favoura- 

 ble to the study of ornithology than Geneva. Besides the 

 great variety of species, proper to the climate, which are found 

 in the plains and valleys, the Lake of Geneva is frequented 

 by a multitude of aquatic birds — its borders by others — and 

 the neighbouring mountains, rising to the height of 2000 

 toises, give a series of climates, similar to what is found on the 

 globe between 46° N. Lat. and the pole. Thus, in the space 

 of a few leagues round Geneva, are found most of the spe- 

 cies which are dispersed at immense distances from each other 

 through the rest of Europe. 



Among the birds found near Geneva, some are stationary ; 

 others migrate in autumn to more southerly climates, and re- 

 turn in the spring for the purpose of incubation ; and there 

 are others, again, which arrive from the Arctic sea in autumn, 

 and remain till the following spring calls them to their des- 

 tined habitation in the north. Besides these different species, 

 which may be said to be indigenous to Switzerland, M. 

 Necker remarks, that there are found, as by chance, some in- 

 dividuals of species which inhabit countries very different, and 

 led thither by causes which are but imperfectly known. 

 They arrive isolated, meagre, and starving ; and their appear- 

 ance forms one of the most curious facts in natural history. 



The memoir of M. Necker is divided into five sections, the 

 first of which treats of the stationary birds of the low grounds 

 in the neighbourhood, such as the sparrow, — the yellow ham- 

 mer, — linnets, — the blackbird, &c. These are joined about 

 the end of February, or the beginning of March, by flocks of 

 woodcocks, (Scolopaa' rnsticola,) which arrive in the forests at 



