160 THE BIRD WORLD OF WESTERN EUROPE. 



approach the borders of an Arctic climate. They are 

 generally found in the belt between the forest-region of 

 the mountains and the line of perpetual snow; that is, 

 above 8000 feet. The common stag does not ascend 

 higher than 7000 feet, nor the fallow-deer than 6000 feet; 

 besides, both of these animals descend to the plains, whero 

 the chamois and ibex are never found. The bear, the 

 lynx, and the stoat are sub- Arctic animals ; that is, they 

 range nearly up to the perpetual snow-line. 



Of the Monkey family, so abundant in Asia, Africa, 

 and America, Europe knows but a single species, which is 

 confined to the Rock of Gibraltar, and in all probability 

 was imported from Africa. 



BIRDS OF WESTERN EUROPE. 



But if Western Europe be so ill-provided w4th " quad- 

 rupedal forms," it is far otherwise when we come to the 

 Birds. Of these it possesses all the sweetest singers — the 

 nightingale, the lark, the thrush, the black-cap, and many 

 another which fill our poetry with echoes of their music. 

 It possesses also an abundance of aquatic birds, and the 

 larger birds of prey are well represented. 



Again : no part of Europe is richer in birds, whether 

 as regards species or numbers of individuals, than Great 

 Britain ; while the larger game are so plentiful, that, as 

 Mrs. Somerville remarks, "no one thinks of eating night- 

 ingales and redbreasts." The popular obloquy would 

 undoubtedly be poured out upon the miserable individual 

 who should turn to such coarse purposes the glorious 

 songster of the night, or the familiar winter-guest of our 



