BIRD-LIFE IN POMERANIA. 405 
of the Curlew (Brachvogel), whose nest is also somewhere in 
the marsh. Crows (Krahen) are swarming everywhere, pursued 
by the pair of Curlews with sharp bills and anxious whistling. 
There is a perpetual animosity between these birds, for the 
Crows have a penchant for the savoury eggs of the Curlew, and 
watch every opportunity to steal and eat them. Besides these, 
numerous small Dunlins? (Strandlaufer) enliven the marsh; 
and from the grass the note of the Common Sandpiper 
(Rothscheekel) and the monotonous cry of the Corncrake or 
Landrail (Wiesenknarrer, Wachtelkénig) greet the ear. 
A loud humming sound makes us look up, where a Snipe 
(Bekassin) is flying here and there with amusing playfulness, 
making that curious noise in descending which has suggested the 
name of “ Sky-goat” (Himmelsziege). Ata short distance from 
us are several curious-looking birds, each one differently 
coloured, but all with a high long-feathered ruffle round the 
neck, giving them a remarkably quaint appearance. These are 
Ruffs (Kampfhihne, Burrhdhne), which hold their tournaments 
here in the pairing season. They fight so vehemently with one 
another, that we can approach within forty paces without being 
observed, and can plainly see how they have trodden down the 
grass on the spot selected for their tournaments. Suddenly they 
perceive us, and are off. In front of us a little Titlark (Wiesen- 
pieper) flies twittering from stem to stem in the grass; and 
a slender Yellow Wagtail (Bachstelze), with quick up and down 
movement of the tail, runs about gravely in front of us. 
Hundreds of Black-headed Gulls (Lachméven) and Terns 
(Seeschwalben) whirl through the air with their peculiar cry, 
looking like large snow-flakes in the bright sunshine, an effective 
contrast to the green marsh in its fresh spring dress. Further 
away some Hen Harriers (Wiesenweihen) appear; and a lovely 
Hobby (Baumfalke), flying towards the forest, stoops on his way 
at a small screaming bird with graceful dexterity. 
In the shallow water, near the shore of the lake, stands a 
motionless row of larger birds; with one leg drawn up close to 
the body, the long thin neck bent back, and the strong-pointed 
beak half hidden in the puffed feathers,—the Heron (Fischrether) 
stands in philosophical tranquillity and stoical indifference, 
regardless of the noisy ways of other birds, amongst which the 
Reed Thrush (Rohrsperlinge) takes care to make himself 
