Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/24

2 which he gives very shortly the local and scientific names of the birds, and some remarks as to their frequency, which I suspect are not always satisfactory. Beyond the above-mentioned literature we possess nothing else.

There is no doubt that, for ornithology, this is one of the most famous amongst the Italian Provinces. Its position, the abundance of streams, springs, and rivers, its thick woods, and elevated mountains are very suitable for birds of passage, and the quantity of them caught, by all kinds of devices, and brought to the markets is enormous. My esteemed friend the Rev. H.A. Macpherson has written very fully on this point in his well-known book. Amongst the rarest birds which have appeared here and which afford an idea of the real importance that Bergamo holds in the Italian Provinces, I may mention Gypaëtus barbatus, Glaucidium passerinum, Turdus fuscatus, Loxia bifasciata, Pinicola enucleator, all of which are very seldom seen in the Italian sub-region.

Having spent some time in the Brembana Valley, one of the finest of this Province, I thought it might be useful and interesting to publish some notes about these places, which I believe are amongst the most unknown spots to ornithologists. In my researches I have been greatly helped by an intelligent but modest person. Dr. Peter Giacomelli, chemist, of S. Giovanni Bianco. He has lived there the last four years, having been obliged to leave his fatherland, Rovereto in Trentino, on account of unfortunate political questions with Austria. Before this he had been acclaimed in both natural sciences and chemistry at the celebrated University of Innsbruck; while he knows very well indeed many branches of our science. In order to collect minerals, for which he has an especial inclination, he made many trips and ascensions here and there, and we may say that he is now acquainted with everything that appears or lies in these beautiful places. I obtained from him all the local names, and much of the information I am now giving; so I have the pleasure of declaring here how deeply I am indebted to him for his kindness in helping me so much and so well.

The Brembana Valley is the widest and the most picturesque