The Zoologist/4th series, vol 4 (1900)/Issue 708/Birds on the Rigi, Benson

by Charles William Benson

 

BIRDS ON THE RIGI.

By Rev. Charles W. Benson, LL.D.

 

In July, 1899, I was Chaplain under the Colonial and Continental Society at Rigi Kaltbad, and had an opportunity of observing the birds at different heights on the Rigi, not usually enjoyed by those making a very short stay in this truly delightful locality.

Although I was unsparing in my endeavours to note any birds from Rigi Kaltbad (4791 ft.) to Rigi Kulm (5900 ft.), I could only make a list of about twenty-six species, as follows:—

Kestrel Falcon.—Not common.
Carrion-Crow.—Very numerous.
Nutcracker.—Nesting near the path to Küssnacht.
Mistle-Thrush.—Fairly numerous.
Song-Thrush and Blackbird.—To be heard singing below Rigi Kaltbad.
Ring-Ouzel.—Very numerous, and taking the place of the Blackbird with us. Called "Berg Drossel" by the Swiss.
Black Redstart.—Very numerous everywhere on the Rigi.
Common Redstart.—To be found in more sheltered places.
Wren.—Very numerous.
Goldcrest.—Not so plentiful.
Blackcap Warbler.—Near Rigi Stäffel at height of over 5000 ft.
Chiffchaff.—Breeding near Rigi Kaltbad Hotel. These were the only Warblers on the mountain.
Robin.—In the woods; not very common.
Chaffinch.—Rather numerous.
Bullfinch.—Fairly plentiful.
Lesser Redpoll.—Tolerably numerous.
Coal Tit (Parus ater).—Numerous.
Siskin.—The bird of the Rigi. Very numerous everywhere, in small flocks, flying and singing. Some cocks in beautiful plumage.
Spotted Flycatcher.—Fairly common.
Green Woodpecker.—To be heard every day.
Tree Pipit.—Fairly numerous.
Meadow-Pipit.—Common.
Water-Pipit.—I saw but one, near the Rigi Stäffel Hotel. I was attracted by its greyish back and the whitish stripe over the eye.
White Wagtail.—Not common.
Swift (Cypselus apus).—I saw but one, and we were visited with no "Alpensegler," as the Alpine Swift is usually called.
In addition to these twenty-six species, I heard two different species of Woodpecker, which I could not see or identify, but think that neither was Picus martius, a bird I saw a few years ago at Bex, in the Rhone Valley.

As I always make it a rule to go up a hill on my birthday, I went up Pilatus on July 12th, 1899, and there, at a height of about 7000 ft., I saw the Alpine Chough, the Snowfinch, and the Rock-Thrush. I heard for the first time the pleasing little song of the Snowfinch, and the really delightful song of the Rock-Thrush; but this latter I had heard before at the Hospice of St. Bernard in 1896. To my mind the expression "bursts" or "snatches" of song best describes this delightful warbling, which alone enlivens those dreary and almost inaccessible places. There is just one little patch of green near the Hôtel Pilatus Kulm, and an observer standing above it, and looking over the wall, may see these rare birds below him, and hear undisturbed their delightful song, with something of the Robin in it, and of the Blackcap too.

I may mention that at the famous "Tunnels" on the Axenstrasse, near Brunnen, the Crag Martin may always be found, and also at the Gorges du Trient, near Vernayaz, at the Rhone Valley. I have also seen the Wall-Creeper near the Tunnels, but never yet have I been favoured with a sight of the Alpine Accentor, one of the very few Swiss birds whose acquaintance I cannot claim.