M. Necker on the Birds of Geneva. 273 



after the first ; and the beginning of April is marked by the 

 arrival of the linnet. The cuckoo (Cuculus canoms) ap- 

 pears about the tenth ; and towards the middle of this month 

 a new detachment of birds arrives, which have passed the 

 winter in countries more southerly — the shrike — the hoopoe, 

 and the wryneck. About the 20th of April, the melodious song 

 of the nightingale (Motacilla Luscinia) is heard ; and, about 

 the same time, a few nocturnal birds make their appearance, 

 among which, besides some species of owls, the goatsucker 

 ( Caprimidgus Europceus) is found. The quail ( Tctrao co- 

 turnix) and the rail (Rallus creocj arrive from Africa about 

 the end of April, and beginning of May. The kite ( Falco 

 Milvus) — the fly-catcher, and the golden oriole (Oriolus 

 galbula) finish the catalogue of birds which spend the spring 

 and summer in the plains around Geneva. 



M. Necker goes on, in this manner, to note the arrival and 

 departure after incubation of all the birds which are found 

 in the low grounds, mixed with notices of their habits, de- 

 scriptions of the rarer species, and accounts of the methods 

 pursued by the fowlers for taking them. We regret that the 

 length of the Memoir prevents us giving more than a slight 

 outline of the different sections. 



The Second Section is devoted to those birds which arc 

 found in the higher grounds and mountains ; and here a list of 

 birds is given, varying in their species according to the alti- 

 tude. The crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) inhabits the fir 

 woods, — the Tetrcio lagojms, and Fringilla nivalis, are found 

 on the snow at the foot of the glaciers — and the Falco fulvus, 

 and Falco albicilla of Temminck arc found at still higher eleva- 

 tions. 



The Third Section treats of birds which frequent marshy 

 grounds, and the shores of lakes and rivers, such as the heron, 

 plover, stork, and bittern. The lapwing and plover begin to 

 arrive about the 20th of February — the snipe appears about, 

 the beginning of March — the grey heron and the stork about 

 the middle of that month. About the 20th of March, the 

 Tringa pugnax appears; and about the end of the same 

 month the Hirundo riparia arrives, to take possession of the 

 elevated and rocky cliffs on the banks of the Rhone and Arvc, 



vol. iv. NO. II. APRIL 18*^6. b 



