Ornithologists and the Alps. 



this tempting region ; Switzerland has many, both 

 amateur and scientific. A journal of Swiss ornith- 

 ology is published periodically. Professor Fatio, of 

 Geneva, one of the most distinguished of European 

 naturalists, has given much time and pains to the 

 birds of the Alpine world, and published many 

 valuable papers on the subject, the results of 

 which have been embodied in Mr. Dresser's Birds 

 of E^M'ope. But what with the all-engrossing 

 passion for climbing, and the natural indisposition 

 of the young Englishman to loiter in that ex- 

 hilarating air, it has come to pass that the Anglo- 

 Saxon race has for long past invaded and occupied 

 these mountains for three months in each year, with- 

 out discovering how remarkable the region is in 

 the movements and characteristics of its animal life. 

 I myself have been fortunate in having as a 

 companion an old friend, a native of the Oberland, 

 who has all his life been attentive to the plants 

 and animals of his beloved mountains. Johann 

 Anderegg will be frequently mentioned in this 

 chapter, and I will at once explain who he is. A 

 peasant of the lower Hasli-thal, in the canton of 

 Bern, born before the present excellent system of 



