The Zoologist/4th series, vol 2 (1898)/Issue 689/The Birds of the Riffelalp, Canton Valais, Switzerland

by Philip Lutley Sclater

 

THE BIRDS OF THE RIFFELALP, CANTON
VALAIS, SWITZERLAND.

By P. L. Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.

 

Last September I passed eight very pleasant days, in splendid weather, at the excellent hotel on the Riffelalp, Zermatt, at a height of 7300 ft. above the sea-level. The hotel is situated close to a large grove of mixed larches and arolla pines (Pinus cembra), and just opposite the Matterhorn. It is well known as one of the most popular mountain resorts in Switzerland, and has been now rendered very accessible by the new electric railway, which puts you down at its door. I cannot truly say that birdlife is abundant on the Riffelalp, or, in fact, in any other part of the Swiss Alps that I know of. But there are several birds there not to be seen in life in the British Islands, and of special interest to the student of European ornithology.

You cannot go very far into the pine forest adjoining the hotel without meeting with the Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes). A harsh croak is heard, and a blackish brown Jay-like bird with a conspicuous white tail-end tumbles out of a tree and flies hurriedly into another, often followed by one or more companions. They seem specially fond of the arollas or arvens (Pinus cembra), upon the seeds of which they habitually feed, picking the cones into fragments in search of them. I have also seen them on the larch and on the spruce, and occasionally on the open moor. The Nutcracker is certainly the most characteristic bird of the higher forests in Switzerland—that is, from 8000 to 10,000 ft.—and seems to be met with in nearly all the pine forests of that elevation.

Another attractive bird of the Alps is the Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax alpinus), which may be seen in flocks in many of the precipitous cliffs of the higher mountains. There is a large company of them on the Görnergrat above the Riffelalp (alt. 10,200 ft.), where they inhabit the southern face of the jagged rocks overlooking the Görner Glacier. They are continually on the move, uttering as they fly about a sort of subdued cackle, and making elegant evolutions in the air. At times they retreat into the ragged rocks, in the holes of which they no doubt build their nests. Another smaller company of this Chough inhabits the steep cliff between the Riffelalp inn and the Riffelhaus.

There was a pair of Ravens on the Görnergrat during one of my visits, which seemed to be on the best of terms with the Choughs, and headed them in their evolutions as they flew about.

A third delightful little bird of the Riffelalp is the Alpine Accentor (Accentor alpinus), which is hardly known as a "British bird," but may be easily recognized by those who trouble to look for it among the highest ranges in Switzerland. Although it is unquestionably allied to our so-called "Hedge-sparrow," its habits are quite different, and are more like those of the Pipits or Stonechats. I have always seen it in pairs or small flocks, or sometimes singly, picking about on the ground amongst large stones, or perching on rocks and running over their surfaces. On one occasion I found a family party of six or seven within two hundred yards of the Riffelalp hotel. They are usually rather shy, and it is difficult to get one's glasses well fixed on them, so lively are their movements; but when you get a good side light on them the spotted throat and rufous tinge on the flanks render them easily distinguishable.

The Snow-finch (Montifringilla nivalis) is also a characteristic bird of the high Alps from 8000 to 10,000 ft. I have seen small flocks of them on the Furka Pass and elsewhere. On the Riffelalp this year I only identified a single bird with certainty; this was on the outskirts of the pine wood near the hotel. But another flock of finches which I saw in the same neighbourhood near Findelen Glacier was, I believe, of this species.

In the open parts of the highest pastures on the Riffelalp the Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta) is by no means rare. They are always seen on the ground, taking a short flight when disturbed, and then settling again in the herbage. Their habits appeared to me to be much the same as those of our Meadow Pipit (A. pratensis).

The Black Redstart (Ruticilla tithys), common all over Switzerland, is also to be found on the Riffelalp, but does not seem to range quite so high as the five species previously mentioned. It is usually met with in the vicinity of the huts and hay-barns, under the eaves of which it often breeds.

Thus it will be observed that there are at least six most interesting alpine birds to be met with on the Riffelalp, even by one who pays merely a few days' visit to that most inviting health resort in one of the worst months of the year as regards bird-life. I have no doubt that all these species would be found breeding there in the spring. Besides these, I noticed Chaffinches, flocks of Tits in the pine woods (Parus lugubris and P. cristatus), and other well-known birds which it is not necessary to mention. Birds of prey, however, seemed to be unusually scarce. I heard rumours of an Eagle (?), but only saw a single Sparrowhawk.