5a THE ALPS IN JUNE. 



Before leaving this subject I should, perhaps, note that these 

 three regions are not divided from each other by any definite 

 line ; and in respect of tbeir bird-life I need hardly say 

 they slide insensibly into each other. But I think it will be 

 found that the division is a fair one for our purposes, and is 

 a useful one to bear in mind in all dealings with the natural 

 history of the country. 



I will now ask my readers to follow me mentally in an 

 expedition which will bring us into actual contact with many 

 of the birds I have noticed in Switzerland. We will choose 

 a route which from its great beauty, comparative quiet, and 

 good inns, has always been a favourite of mine, and will carry 

 us over parts of all the three regions I have just described, 

 enabling us to compare their avi-fauna with that of our own 

 country. Starting from the village of Stanz-stadt, famous in 

 Swiss history, which stands on that arm of the lake of Lucerne 

 which lies immediately beneath Mount Pilatus, we will pass 

 up the luxuriant valley of the Aa, in canton Untei^walden, to 

 . Engelberg, wbere most of the land and forest is owned by the 

 monks of a great monastery, whose care for their possessions 

 has doubtless helped to make thepa. a pleasant home for the 

 birds ; then we will mount to the pastures of the Gerstni- 

 alp, in region No. 2, and so upwards to the Joch-pass, which 

 in early summer is covered with snow, and introduces us to 

 region No. 3. Descending for an hour to the Engstlen-alp, 

 loveliest of Swiss pastures, we find ourselves here, at the 

 excellent inn, again in No. 2, but still within very easy reach 

 of No. 3 ; and then we can pass downwards through the Gentel- 



