Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - I. Physical Geography. Introd. by [G. Sundbärg] Gunnar Andersson - 6. Fauna. By [T. Tullberg] N. von Hofsten
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FAUNA.
77
highlands of Småland. From the standpoint of zoogeography the
northern coniferous forests form a self-contained territory (the sub-arctic
region); but this division is not followed in this place. We have
already mentioned that the common bear and the common wolf have
their real homes in the dense forests nearest to the alps. The same is the
case with the European lynx (Lynx lynx). These, the three greatest
of Swedish beasts of prey, had in olden times a much wider range than
nowadays; and as recently as 1850—60 there were wolves in Uppland and
Västergötland. To the great coniferous forests also belong the pine
marten (Mustela mårtes) and the principal antlered denizen of the
Swedish forests — the elk (Alces alces) — which is found from the Polar
Circle as far down as Småland. In the forests-districts of the northern
regions we find amongst the birds, in addition to the willow-grouse
previously mentioned, the Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus), which latter
is replaced, farther to the south, by the common jay (Garrulus glandarius).
The capercailzie or wood-grouse or cock of the wood (Tetrao urogallus),
the hazel-grouse (Tetrastes bonasia), the common crane (Grus grus), and
the woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) also belong to the dense forests. In
the marshes and lakes within this region, together with a number of
lesser waders, ducks, and pochards, the black-throated diver (Colymbus
arcticus) breeds, and farthest northwards, the bean-goose (Anser fabalis)
and the golden-ej’e or garrot (Clangula clangula). Numerous birds of
prey have also their proper habitats in the forests, as, for example, the
goshawk (Astur gentüis [palumbarius]), the sparrow-hawk (Accipiter
nisus), the common buzzard (Buteo buteo), the honey-buzzard (Pernis
apivorus), the osprey (Pandion haliaëtus), the eagle-owl (Bubo bubo).
Amongst the small birds which characterize the great coniferous
forests, even the southern ones, may be mentioned: the song-thrush
(Turdus musicus), the redbreast (Crithacus rubecula), the siskin
(Aean-this spinus), the parrot-crossbill and the common crossbill (Loxia
pytio-psittacus and curvirostra) — which last-named have so completely adapted
themselves to the northern climate as to lay their eggs as early as
February •— and further, the bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula), and also
some titmouses, viz. the crested titmouse, the boreal titmouse, and
the coal-titmouse (Parus cristatus, borealis, and ater), and the
golden-crested wren (Regulus cristatus). Farthest up in the north breed the
Lappland owl (Syrnium lapponicum), the waxwing or waxen chatterer
(Ampelis garrulus), and the pine-grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator). The
great black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) may also be reckoned
as chiefly belonging to the coniferous forests. The black grouse or
blackcock (Lyrurus tetrix) may also be said to belong to the forest-district,
even though its proper habitat is the border of the great forests, and
the smaller woods in the plains.
The level-country region, including small wooded tracts and park-areas
as well as open plains, embraces part of Svealand and the greater part
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