The Birds of Coblenz 291 



spring, a species of Gull was seen more or less up and down the Rhine and 

 Moselle rivers. 



With the very early days of spring there appeared a pretty little bird which 

 since has been the most common species in and about the city. The Chaffinch, 

 not flocking, is to be seen almost anywhere, at any time, in yards, gardens, 

 parks, and about the city streets. In appearance the Chaffinch is a sturdy little 

 bird about six inches in length. Its song is a pleasing warble. 



It was in March when I first noticed the Amsel, being attracted one day by 

 a vigorous song, reminiscent of that of our Robin. The singer I found to be 

 a black bird, about Robin size, with a yellow bill. It was the black Thrush, 

 more commonly called the Amsel, which continued observation has shown to 

 resemble the American Robin in all but appearance. Like the Robin they 

 are seen about the city and suburbs, in the yards, parks, and orchards. They 

 have the Thrush habit of singing at sunset. 



Northward from Coblenz, where the Rhine Valley opens into the Neuwied 

 Basin, are broad fertile fields interspersed with orchards. Here is to be found 

 the Skylark, one of the two renowned European songbirds. In appearance this 

 Lark is a camouflage in neutral grays and browns, harmonizing with the land. 

 The rollicking, bubbling song of the Skylark is given on the wing, the bird 

 mounting higher and higher, singing ever more exuberantly, until at last, as if 

 the bird were exhausted, the song ends suddenly and the tiny body dives back 

 to earth. In addition to this song, the Skylark exhibits a fascinating adept- 

 ness as a wooer of his mate. 



Comparable with the Skylark in renown is the Nightingale. Among the 

 localities in Germany where the Nightingale is best known are the Rhine and 

 Moselle valleys. Here this species arrives in late April and remains until Novem- 

 ber. Along the upper part of the beautiful Rhine Anlagen opposite the island 

 of Oberwerth the tones of this wonderful singer are to be heard every evening 

 and night. The Nightingale sings occasionally, but briefly, in the daytime. 

 But it is not until the early evening, from seven o'clock onward that the voice 

 of the Nightingale plays any prominent part in the bird-chorus, becoming con- 

 spicuous only as darkness gathers. Then it may be heard, one bird here, 

 another there answering, the silvery tones ringing back and forth across the 

 placid water of the lagoon, with a richness and mystery that holds the listener 

 enchanted. A German told me that the Nightingale sings usually until toward 

 midnight, then rests a while, sings again, and is at his best between one and 

 two o'clock, rests again, and sings finally at sunrise. The song is given in 

 separate phrases of a few seconds interval, separated by greater or less intervals. 

 Each bird has a repertoire of some half-dozen or more quite different phrases 

 rendered in varying order and successive renditions of the same phrase, vary- 

 ing in tone and length. Although such a wonderful singer, the Nightingale is 

 very retiring in disposition and modest in appearance. The bird spends much 

 time upon the ground and in low bushes, seldom mounting more than five or 



