74 The Alps in June. 



not always satisfy myself as to the identity of a 

 species ; and two years ago I was forced to 

 sacrifice the lives of some six or seven individuals. 

 This, it is worth knowing, is illegal in all parts of 

 Switzerland, and illegal at all times of the year ; 

 and I had to obtain a license from the Cantonal 

 Government at Bern, kindly procured for me by 

 another old acquaintance, Herr Immer of Meirin- 

 gen and the Engstlen-alp, to shoot birds ' in the 

 cause of science.' This delighted Anderegg ; but 

 at my earnest request he suppressed his sporting 

 instincts, or only gave them rein in fruitless 

 scrambles over rock and snow in search of 

 Ptarmigan and Marmots. 



I propose to occupy the latter part of this 

 chapter in taking my readers a short expedition, 

 in company with Anderegg, in search of Alpine 

 -birds ; but let me first say something of the 

 general conditions and characteristics of bird-life 

 in Switzerland. 



And first of the number of species, and abun- 

 dance of individuals. People sometimes tell me 

 that they never see any birds in the Alps. An 

 elderly German, whose bodily exertions were 



