42 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



year, the Swiss Alpine Club built a chalet in the gardens, in 

 which was exhibited a fine collection of the fauna of the country ; 

 most of the specimens were well set up, but some of the birds 

 not quite in accordance with their natural instincts. 



Lammergeier, Gypaetus harhatus. — Had a fox in his talons, 

 as if alive. According to most authorities, this bird, like other 

 Vultures, depends mainly on dead animals or carrion, for its 

 food. Its claws are not formed, as those of the Eagles or other 

 Eaptores, for grasping or carrying off live animals of any size. 

 There were specimens of the bird in three different states of 

 plumage. In the second figure in Dresser's ' Birds of Europe ' 

 the head appears to be too black. The Gi/jxii'tus is almost 

 extinct in Switzerland ; in fact, the curator of the Natural 

 History Museum at Zurich informed me that it could not now 

 be found in any part of that country. I was told, however, by 

 Herr Staufi'er, at Lucerne, that he still knew of two pairs of 

 these bmls, but he would not say where. I suspect, from hints 

 he dropped as to his own sporting localities, that the most 

 unfrequented craigs of the Grisons still hold them. 



Golden Eagle, Aqiiila chrysaetus. — Also well represented at 

 this exhibition in various states of plumage. Here, again, the 

 bird, in its early immature state, that is, with the white on the 

 basal part of the tail very distinct, — in fact, the plumage which 

 in former days caused this bird to be classed under the specific 

 name of Aqidlafulva, — is set up, with wings outspread, feeding 

 its young. Query, does the bird breed in this state of plumage ? 

 The Golden Eagle is a long time getting to its perfect plumage, 

 and some white feathers remain on the tail, probably for two or 

 three years, and it may breed then, but hardly in the first year's 

 plumage. On one occasion, when ascending the Schelthorn, a 

 splendid Eagle, which my guide declared to be a Golden Eagle, 

 soared over my head ; but this bird is becoming very rare in the 

 inhabited or frequented districts. 



In the Berne Museum of Natural History, Aquila impcrialis 

 and A. clanya are placed in the department appropriated for the 

 fauna of Switzerland, where the whole of the European Falconida 

 are well represented. 



OspREY, PaiuUou haliaetus. — Still to be found in many 

 localities. I noticed one sailing above Schafifhausen, on the 

 Khine, and another — or, may be, the same or its mate — on the 



