Bird Observations 



wings nervously once in awhile. He 

 caught his food on the ground or made 

 sallies after it in the air, and often lit on 

 the top of a bean pole where I could see 

 him to perfection. He could be nothing 

 else but the nightingale, I feel sure. If I 

 could only have heard his songs ! (Proved 

 to be above by collection in Paris.) 



August joth. Spiez. Goldfinch. A 

 pretty flock in a sunny meadow, all chirp- 

 ing together like our birds, but not quite 

 so sweet a note. Charming birds, they 

 were, but they did not stay long to be in- 

 spected. I saw a handsome male, though, 

 with his red front. Chaffinches abound 

 everywhere. Today, September 2nd, one 

 came right on to the porch where we were 

 sitting. They are so tame. 



September 2nd. St. Beatenberg. Wren. 

 Scolded just like our wren and acted and 

 looked very like him. 



September 2nd. St. Beatenberg. Ruti- 

 cilla tithys. Black Redstart. Had a good 

 study of this bird, have had glimpses of 

 him before in other places. He kept low, 

 fed on the ground, flew in and out from 

 stone piles and thickets. Size of bluebird, 

 bill similar also, like a thrush bill. Upper 

 parts dark bluish slate, lower the same, 



[181] 



