BIRDS AT KISSINGEN. 419 



its ancient grandeur and strength. The lords of Trimburg are 

 mentioned as early as 1137, but their castle was burnt down 

 during the Peasants' War, and the larger portion of the present 

 ruin was erected, towards the end of the sixteenth century, by 

 Bishop Julius of Wiirzburg. During the summer months refresh- 

 ments are to be had within the ancient walls ; and as we sat at 

 afternoon tea we noted lower down a Nightingale threading its way 

 through the thick bushes at the base of the walls ; and looking up 

 shortly afterwards, saw a tolerably large bird alight and remain on 

 the wall high above our heads. With the help of my field-glass, 

 I discovered that this was a Great Grey Shrike, and, as it looked 

 down upon us from its lofty perch, it seemed well to deserve its 

 name of excubitor, " the sentinel." The Red-backed Shrike, 

 Lanius collurio, was everywhere numerous. 



July 21st. — Went up to the Salinen in the steam-launch 'Kis- 

 singen' — an enjoyable trip. The river is but the width of a canal 

 beyond Kissingen, and green banks with trees and bushes border 

 it on each side. There was barely room for us to pass the sister 

 ship ' Salinen ' on the return voyage, but by skilful management 

 we contrived to squeeze by. I saw a Siskin later on in the 

 " Friedhof," as they call the cemetery here, though in most places 

 the churchyard is styled " Gott's Acker." I know not which is 

 the more beautiful name : " The Abode of Peace," or " God's 

 Acre." Surely the cemetery, or " sleeping place," is both. 



July 22nd. — A Willow Warbler appeared at the back of our 

 hotel, the first I have seen here. Although I visited all the hills 

 and woods around at nightfall, I failed to hear or see an Owl, 

 whilst at Bex, last year, Owls and owlets might be heard on all 

 the roads near the town. Frogs, however, were here, and most 

 melodious they were outside the town ; I never heard music like 

 their's before. 



July 24th. — Many Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammers were 

 noticed at the Bodenlaube. 



July 26th. — On the Finsternberg, in the evening, at 8.30, 

 I heard a Sky Lark singing and also the "reel" of the Grass- 

 hopper Warbler, and so added a new bird to my list on my last 

 day at Kissingen. 



The following is a list of the species observed during my 

 stay here : — Song Thrush, Blackbird, Wheatear, Whinchat, Red- 

 start, Black Redstart, Redbreast, Nightingale, Whitethroat, 



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