ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM DENMARK 93 



were Sky-Larks in profusion ; the air was filled with their never- 

 ceasing song, amidst the trilling of Dunlins, the squeaking of 

 Lapwings, the fluting of Redshanks, and the croaking and 

 screeching of the Common and Black-headed Gulls. 



In spite of the inundations to which the island is liable, there 

 are large numbers of Hares on it. Some low mounds have been 

 raised as places. of refuge for them, but the author of ' Danmarks 

 Land ' says that on New Year's night, 1902, when Saltholm was 

 completely submerged, four hundred were drowned, others taking 

 to the buildings and even the trees in the little plantation. 



The birds on Svaneklapperne are protected by a society for 

 bird protection, " Svalen," but it is said that on the main island 

 there is no adequate provision for their safety. 



On June 11th, 1908, I made, with Hit. Schioler, Christiani, 

 and Landmark, a visit to a locality of a very different nature — 

 that fine royal domain, the Dyrchave, to the north of the city. 

 Here, in a high tree, Hr. Christiani showed us the nest of Corvus 

 corax, which now is a very rare breeder in Denmark. Both the 

 parent birds were still at the spot, and flew about with the fierce 

 croaking so familiar at home ; the site recalled the ancient con- 

 ditions of the nesting of the Raven in England. From the 

 nature of the Danish country, its formerly numerous breeding- 

 places there must have been principally in trees, but one is said 

 to have existed on the curious isolated crag Skarreklit, on the 

 north-west coast of Jutland. In another tree was a nest of the 

 Honey Buzzard, which had probably been robbed ; the bark bore 

 marks of climbing-irons, and the tenants were not to be seen. 

 We had the pleasure of seeing and hearing a male of the little 

 Red-breasted Flycatcher, which Hr. Christiani had already 

 observed on a number of occasions, and which probably nested, 

 though no nest was found. The species is very scarce in Den- 

 mark. We heard also Ring-Doves and Stock-Doves, and saw a 

 number of Hooded Crows, the native crow of Denmark, which is 

 found in all woods. In the hollow trees of the ancient forest 

 nest, besides Stock-Doves, Jackdaws, Starlings, and Pied Fly- 

 catchers. 



The low shores of Amager are a famous locality for migrating 

 shore-birds ; I was not there at a favourable season for observing 

 these, but noticed numbers of Oystercatchers, Redshanks, and 



