406 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
conspicuous. But such apathy is only feigned. The cruel 
greedy eye is immovably fixed on the surface of the water: 
presently an unsuspicious fish approaches; like lightning the 
long neck is raised, one sharp sure thrust of the powerful beak in 
the water, and the fish is caught. As if in sport it is then tossed 
in the air, only to fall head foremost into the insatiable maw of 
its captor. On the smooth surface of the lake swims the Common 
Coot (Bldsshuhn), and the Crested Grebe (Haubentaucher) has 
also its nest here. Although not visible to our eyes, they give 
notice of their presence by monotonous hoarse cries. Between 
the water-plants green-legged Spotted Crakes (Rohrhiihner) are 
bustling about; and further on there are some Ducks (Hnten) on 
the water, amongst which we recognise the Common Duck and 
Mallard (Stockente), the smaller Teal (Krédkente), and the Pintail 
(Schiessente) with their slender necks. Slowly over the lake, 
without any perceptible motion of his wings, soars a Black Kite 
(Schwarzer milan), watching eagerly for prey. The Ducks care 
little for him, and continue to float carelessly on the water; but 
suddenly a Peregrine Faleon (Wanderfalke) appears, also looking 
for prey. A panic seizes the whole feathered flock; even the 
impudent Crows (Kriihe) fly away terror-stricken; the Ducks 
swim as low as possible in the water, or if on shore, crouch upon 
the ground, for only thus are they safe from the dreaded Faleon; 
and woe to the bird who, trusting to the swiftness of his wings 
for safety, is overtaken and struck down. 
On the other side of the lake a deep ditch winds through the 
fir wood, and extends as far as the coast, in the steep banks of 
which we may find the nesting-holes of the bright blue-backed 
Kingfisher (Hisvogel). Miners as well as fishermen, they have 
dug out a horizontal tunnel, at the bottom of which the young 
ones are couched upon a layer of fish-bones. 
Continuing our walk through the forest we reach the broad 
shining sea. Birds are scarce here at present. A few Black- 
headed and Common Gulls (Lachméven and Slurmdven) are 
looking for food on the beach; and here and there a Tern 
(Seeschwalben), wiser than the Plover (Kiebitze), has not yet begun 
nidification, because, according to law (in Pomerania), all eggs 
laid before the 1st of May can be taken to supply the kitchens of 
those who are partial to Plover’s eggs and Gull’s eggs. Further 
on some Ducks are on the moor; Mallards (Stockenten), whose 
