178 The Alps in September. 



structure of this mountain district, and partly to 

 its geographical position, lying as it does in the 

 very centre of the various routes of migration in 

 spring and autumn. 



I had long been anxious to obtain some more 

 reliable information about these movements than 

 I had acquired when my third chapter was written, 

 and to obtain it as far as possible at first hand ; 

 and I eagerly seized the opportunity, in September 

 of the present year (1886), of a visit to relations 

 in Germany, to make a rapid de'tour to the Alps, 

 about the time when the more delicate birds would 

 be beginning to leave the higher valleys and 

 pastures, now fast becoming too cold at night to 

 suit their tender frames. I was able to remain 

 only a very few days, but I saw and heard enough 

 to occupy my attention fully during that short 

 time, and am disposed to hope that by setting 

 down my experiences I may attract the attention 

 of autumn travellers to a matter which lends new 

 interest to a hackneyed region, after the flowers 

 have disappeared, and when the days are getting 

 too short for ambitious mountain-climbing. 



I arrived at Lucerne on the morning of 



