194 The Alps in September. 



still making way upwards. The result of this 

 movement was that we found the Pipits all 

 Alpine-pipits (see p. 93), as far as I could ascertain 

 in a sunny hollow just above the glacier ; they 

 were there in great numbers, but did not mount 

 further so long as we remained. The Redstarts 

 too we found still slowly working upwards on the 

 same side of the valley on which we had seen 

 them in the morning ; they were now just opposite 

 to the glacier. But on the top of the pass, where 

 it was too cold to stay long, we saw no signs of 

 migrants ; it was occupied only by a few Alpine 

 Accentors, while high above, at a height of full 

 9000 feet above the sea, the Alpine Choughs were 

 enjoying the sunshine. As we were descending, 

 I caught sight of a tiny little tarn on the opposite 

 side of the glacier, on the rocky alp high up above 

 the inn, which struck me as a likely place for 

 birds, especially as it was sheltered by a little crest 

 of stunted trees of some kind. Here, after the 

 mid-day meal, we made our way, and finding 

 nothing at all, lay down on the grass to enjoy a 

 splendid view" of the craggy defile below us. But 

 we had not been lying long before a twittering was 



