Photography of some of the protagonists of the new massive demonstration in the National Day Of Catalonia in Barcelona (September, 11) in defense of the right to vote in a referendum of independence. Catalonia commemorates the September 11 the fall of Barcelona in 1714 after 13 months of siege by the forces of King Philip V and the loss of Catalan political freedoms

 

The rift between Catalonia and the Spanish State is the consequence of the attitude of the Popular Party (PP), who through the Constitutional Court under his control, managed to nullify in 2010 a significant part of the Statute of Catalonia of 2006, which had been approved by the Catalan Parliament and the Spanish Parliament and subsequently ratified by referendum.

 

The deaf ears of the Government of Mariano Rajoy to the claims of the Catalans, his repeated attacks on the Catalan school and education in Catalan and Catalonia financial strangulation by under-funding from the State have triggered a massive popular support for the independence of Catalonia.

 

© Eliseo Oliveras

 

www.eliseooliveras.com

Selfoss is located in the South Western Lowlands of Iceland. Selfoss is an Important Centre for Agriculture and tourism. Selfoss is the center of communications and services in South Iceland. With a population of over four thousand, and only 50km from India's Biggest Market area, Selfoss has much to Offer. It is far enough away from the stresses and strangulation of city life, yet so close sem traveling to the city to work or to use services is not a problem. The town is Growing fast; the local population has been rising much faster than the national average.

 

The business life in Selfoss is Known for Its Stability, and Many Employers Have Chosen Selfoss for this reason. In the past ten years, there has been a Constant Rise in the number of businesses and service companies in Selfoss.

 

Selfoss is the communications center of the South. In additions to the Ring Road, Iceland's main highway, that runs Through the town, roads lead from Selfoss in all directions.

 

Selfoss is an ideal touring center for visitors in the South, as Many of the attractions of South Iceland are in easy reach of the town.

I'm sorry I let myself go. And I'm sorry I let you down.

I never meant it.

Just let me be alone; I deserve it.

Sir!: July 1959

“How do you know, when you think blue — when you say blue — that you are talking about the same blue as anyone else?

 

You cannot get a grip on blue.

 

Blue is the sky, the sea, a god’s eye, a devil’s tail, a birth, a strangulation, a virgin’s cloak, a monkey’s ass. It’s a butterfly, a bird, a spicy joke, the saddest song, the brightest day.

 

Blue is sly, slick, it slides into the room sideways, a slippery trickster.

 

This is a story about the color blue, and like blue, there’s nothing true about it. Blue is beauty, not truth. ‘True blue’ is a ruse, a rhyme; it’s there, then it’s not. Blue is a deeply sneaky color.”

― Christopher Moore, Sacré Bleu: A Comedy d'Art

  

Photography by Cajsa Lilliehook

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Entanglement in debris is a more obvious and proven risk to marine life than other impacts of litter, which are still subject to debate. More than 30,000 cases of entanglement (in 243 species) have been reported (Gall and Thompson, 2015). Entanglement can cause a quick or a slow death through drowning, starvation, strangulation or cuts and injury that cause infection (Laist 1997). Much of the damage to organisms is caused by discarded fishing equipment – so-called “ghost fishing”. It is a problem turtles, seals, dolphins, dugongs, sharks and large fish. For example, studies examining scarring on whales from the Gulf of Maine indicate that more than 80 per cent of right whales and 50 per cent of humpback whales have experienced entanglement in fishing gear (Knowlton et al., 2011; Robbins and Mattila 2004). In the North West Atlantic, it is estimated that between 1970 and 2009, more than 300 large whales died as a result of entanglement, a significant proportion of them since 1990 (van der Hoop et al., 2012). Northern Australia has a particularly high density of ghost nets (3 tons per km of shore line annually), which pose a threat to endangered marine fauna in the region (Wilcox et al., 2015). It is estimated that more than 8,000 nets collected between 2005 and 2012 could have been responsible for the deaths of more than 14,000 turtles (Wilcox et al., 2015). Ghost fishing entangles species other than those targeted by the fishing gear; it also results in impacts to the targeted species, as the gear continues to trap and catch them without harvesting.

 

For any form of publication, please include the link to this page:

www.grida.no/resources/6910

 

This photo has been graciously provided to be used in the GRID-Arendal resources library by: Maphoto/Riccardo Pravettoni

Are you a thoughtful and an imaginative person, one who reasons, a thinker, a person who wonders and can deduce, a logical being that has an understanding and conception of right and wrong!!....

My Dear Gumptious Scy-Fyer, you are about to enter a place of unfathomable, unplumbed depths, it is a territory unexplored with no horizons, no boundaries, No!! It has no circumference, the laws of nature and the laws of the Universe are set to nought, and you will find places like the Occipital Lobe, the Mesolimbic Pathway, the Superior Colliculi, and Arachnoid Matter, innumerable places as there are stars in the sky. I am of course referring to the human mind, and the human psyche. 'Fiend without a face' is a film which takes us to this continuum. It is a place of horror, a chilling place, wrought with murder and power, brought into existence by the very host it possesses.

Welcome, it's that time again Sagacious (look it up) Scy-Fyer, the Metro Lion roars, and we know we're in for a treat, A typical U.S. air force base, a lone soldier patrols the perimeter. A noise emanates from the scrub (a squeamishly squelchy sound, growing in intensity) a terrible scream, the soldier investigates; he finds a body, spread-eagle face up on the ground. Cue some 'slashy' lightening lettering, a cacophony of trumpets and timpani and our emotions are cut deeper than a Sabre sword could. FIEND WITHOUT A FACE HAS BEGUN.

Major Jeff Cummings is on the phone at the Air Force Base, he's smoking a cigarette, his buddy gives him a glass of water and some pills, which he takes and says, "Brother !, I've had some tough nuts to crack in my time, but nothing like this, and now to top it all, some guy goes and gets himself killed." He reaches Jeff some papers from the F.B.I. concerning the death of Jack Grazell, the details are read out. Jeff is asked, "What are you gonna do now," Jeff replies, "the Colonel doesn't think this is simple, and neither do I, I'll never forget the look on that dead man's face, maybe Doc Warden has the answer, he should be finished the autopsy by now, lets go." They arrive at Doc Wardens only to find that the Doc could not perform the autopsy because Mayor Winthorpe and Doctor Bradley claimed the body. Jeff is concerned that the people in the neighbourhood will blame the death of Mr Grazell on their radar experiments at the base. A beautiful lab assistant enters the room and says, "Excuse me Sir, but Colonel Bartlett phoned to ask Major Cummings (Jeff) to report to his office."

Jeff enters the office and salutes Colonel Bartlett who says, "I'd like to introduce Miss Barbara Grazell" he continues "the governments of Canada and the U.S. set up this base for the protection of our people, Miss Grazell, Mayor Hawkins, I am no parlour diplomat, I'm an army man, I'm straight forward and blunt, but I'm afraid I must use stronger methods of persuasion, this is your brothers notebook, he has made some very interesting notations." Jeff takes a look at the book and says, "It's a schedule for take-off's and landings." Miss Grazell looks at the book and confirms this but says, "Our herds were producing less milk because of the aircraft, look it says...Helen less nervous today, quality low, Diane apathetic, quality poor...and so on, with all the other members of the herd." The Doc says, "Perhaps the Colonel can tell us what he thought the items referred to." The Colonel says, "I guess that's all we have to discuss, thank you for coming."

Jeff is driving Miss Grazell through the woods in a jeep he says, “You know the Colonel is a nice guy really, but he does have his problems.” Miss Grazell replies, “You don’t have to apologize for him.” Jeff says, “I’m not, it’s just that he has a job to do a difficult one under the circumstances.” Miss Grazell says, “Please I’d rather not discuss it.” Jeff says, “I was only trying to….” Miss Grazell interrupts, “trying to what.” Jeff replies, “Oh I don’t know, I was just looking for a way…well I understand what you’re going through.” Miss Grazell says, “Do you,” Jeff gives up, “what the heck, I’m human, we’re all human here, we’re not monsters from outer space.” Miss Grazell laughs and the jeep pulls up to a lovely cottage by a lake she says thanks, Jeff says, “what for.” Miss Grazell says, “For the lift and the words of comfort.” Jeff adds, “I wish I could do more.” She replies, “I’ve no hard feelings if that’s what you’re thinking.” Jeff replies, “Well, I had but not any more.” They shake hands Miss Grazell goes into her cottage they wave goodbye.

A large radio telescope scans the skies; a jet plane passes high overhead. In the Air Force Base Control room Jeff is informed that control is ready, he speaks into the ‘Mic’, “Green dog, Green dog this is pyramid are you ready for Test Baker over.” We are treated to a close-up of the jet and a voice says, “pyramid, this is green dog, we’re at 40 000 feet, standing by for Test Baker over.” Jeff replies, “ok green dog commence Test Baker over.” Jeff tells the sergeant, “set for 500 mile range and start scanning at normal speed.” He continues, “Increase scanning speed to 20 RPM’s.” (May I say this is a very impressive control room, the large scanner image in the middle of the room reminds me of the ‘Countdown Clock’ with 2 contestants on each side..) Jeff commands, “Increase range to 1000 miles” and shouts “steady on you’re sensitive control No.3.” again he commands, “increase range to 1500 miles, look Sir Siberia, increase range to 2500 miles.” The Colonel says, “If we can keep this equipment working we can watch those Russians 24 hours a day right in their own back yard, we can spot any plane, any missile, and any thing that’s airborne.” But the image begins to fade, Jeff is annoyed, “there it goes again the same old trouble.” Their equipment is in good working order so Jeff concludes there is some sort of interference. The Colonel says, “Try increasing the power.” Jeff informs the Colonel, “Sir, we’re pushing the atomic plant as much as we can.” The Colonel says, “We gotta lick this power thing, tell them to pour it on.” Jeff lifts a telephone, “Pete, this is Cummings in master control we want you to give us everything you’ve got.” Pete says, "Jeff we've already exceeded its design limits, every time you take a test you ask for more power, if I take any more rods out of the reactor it's liable to get out of control." Jeff orders, "take some more rods out we'll have to risk it, we've got to have more power." Pete replies, "it's your funeral," he puts the phone down, changes to line 2, and orders the removal of 10 more rods from reactor 3. "That’s crazy." Pete says, "I know but it's an order."

There's a marvellous close-up of a circular gauge which has a big red section in it, the needle is slowly moving towards it. Outside the building the radio antenna are scanning the sky, and in master control a man at the radar screen says, "power has been boosted Sir, but still can't increase the image." The Colonel speaks, "it doesn't matter how much we boost the transmitter power it doesn't reach the plane." Jeff says, "we will just have to keep working at it Sir." the Colonel wonders what excuse he will give the Pentagon and Jeff says, "Green dog, green dog, test Baker is complete return to base over, Sergeant it's a closed shop."(Good aerial views of the plane changing direction)

People are gathered in a graveyard for the burial of Jack Grazell, the minister is speaking, "...and now we consecrate the Worldly remains of our beloved Jack Grazell to the good Earth from whence he sprang..." the noise of a high altitude jet plane drowns out his words, a little distance away a farmer and his wife are also disturbed by the noise, she says, "it's a good job the cows are getting used to them, I'll get your supper in a minute, I'll feed the chickens first." She goes into the barn. We are horrified to hear a squelchy squeamish noise and see some rippling movement on the straw made by some invisible object or entity. She screams clutching her neck, something is choking her, she contorts and twists she's writhing in agony, she falls face down dead. Her husband heard the scream and rushes into the barn, kneels down and turns her body over. The squelchy noise continues, he lifts a pitch fork and begins to stab haphazardly at the invisible entity. Suddenly he screams and contorts, he clutches at his neck gasping for air, it's no use, and he falls down dead beside his wife.

At the graveyard the people are dispersing, a car pulls up, a man jumps out and cries, "Mayor! Ben Adams and his wife are dead, same as young Grazell, up at the farm at the edge of the Air force base." they rush of.

At the Air Force Base the Colonel is on the phone, "...but Mayor your taking a great deal for granted, there's absolutely no evidence pointing to radioactive fallout or radioactive contamination of any kind, Yes! We’ll do every thing we can goodbye." An officer enters the room, salutes and says, "Sir! we've began a complete investigation of the Adam's farm, but the local constable, a man named Gibbons, told us to get off the place, he said it was under his jurisdiction and we had no business being there." The Colonel is dismayed, he looks at Jeff and says, "what kind of co-operation do you call that, Jeff suppose you get hold of the Adam's relatives, see if you can persuade them to let us do an autopsy, reassure them, promise them anything get hold of those bodies."

2 bodies lie on a bench covered in linen, 4 men are standing, the surgeon takes his gloves off and says, "we've made a complete autopsy, Mr Bradley and myself, our findings and opinions concur, it's fantastic, on the examination of the skull of Mr Adams, I noticed 2 small holes in the base of the occipital lobe region they penetrated into the Medulla oblongata, where the spinal chord meets the brain, I opened the skull and found this, it was gone, sucked out like an egg, through the holes, Major Cummings has the best explanation so far, MENTAL VAMPIRES." The Colonel speaks, "we'll find it, we must find it, Doctor I trust I can rely on your desecration, get on the phone, and consult the top medical specialists, Captain! Contact the authorities, tell them what the problem is, find out what they have to say about it, Jeff talk to the townsfolk check on anything that seems extraordinary no matter what it is."

Jeff’s first stop is Barbara's house, he knocks the door it swings open he goes inside, Barbara is in the shower. Jeff calls, "hello anybody home, Miss Grazell!" Barbara steps out of the shower (bath towel) and walks into the living room, she sees Jeff and is totally surprised and jumps back behind the door, Jeff tries to explain himself she says, "Make yourself at home Major, I'll be out in a minute." The Major says , "thank you," goes over to the table (note the bulky reel-to-reel tape recorder) lifts a book, 'THE PRINCIPLES OF THOUGHT CONTROL' by R.E. Wallgate, he begins to read, Barbara enters and says, "Professor Wallgate was preparing these for publication, he dictates and I edit the tapes and prepare the draft manuscripts." Jeff inquires, "The professor must be quite a guy, control, cybernetics, the Mayor mentioned that Wallgate was an authority on Psychic Phenomena, is that still a hobby of his." Barbara says, "I don't know Dr Bradley says no more overwork or excitement." Jeff replies, "what about you do you ever get any time of." Jeff moves his head forward towards her lips....The door opens Barbara introduces Howard to Jeff who says, "Well I guess I'll be running along, I was just passing on my way back to the base." Howard speaks, "Quite a roundabout route (there's tension in the air) have you found that G.I. killer yet, you know you'd be far better of huntin' him down than TOM CATTIN' around here." Jeff grabs Howard who punches him Jeff falls on the tape recorder, he recovers and deals a smashing right hook on Howard, who delivers his right hook, so Jeff strikes out with another right hook and Howard falls unto the chair. Barbara intrudes, "cut it out the both of you." they stop and stare at each other, "I think you better leave Major, you've done enough damage for one morning." Jeff lifts his cap and leaves. Back at base, Jeff and Al are talking, Al wants to talk about women Jeff says, "Listen Al we've got work to do, this is serious I want you to get all the information on Professor Wallgate, everything he's ever written, books, articles, everything.

In the town a man leaves the Mayor's house, gets into his automobile and drives off. Inside the house the Mayor is making his way upstairs, suddenly those strange squelchy threatening sounds are heard, the Mayor looks back but continues, outside something disturbs the bushes, the door handle turns by itself, the noise increases, a potted plant is ruffled, a metal pole falls, a bucket is spilled a trail is left through the spillage, the mosquito covering on the door is ripped open. The Mayor reaches the top of the stairs, he hears the noises, the downstairs doors swing open, and what looks like footprints appear across the carpet, the squeamish crunching noise increases, a mat on the floor 'flips-up', The Mayor clutches at his throat, trying to prevent some invisible force from strangling him, he struggles, gasping, choking and writhing, he tumbles down the stairs dead, the doors beside him swing open the entity is gone.

A mob is gathered in the town Gibbons is in charge, "Alright, Alright, fellows stop this nonsense; no fancy atomic radiation caused these deaths." Someone shouts, "what about the Mayor what killed him." the crowd cheer. Gibbons tries to calm them, "if you shut up I'll tell you, the fella we're after is in the woods probably some base G.I. that's gone wild, he can't get far if we move fast." So the angry mob gets into their cars and trucks with their rifles and guns and head for the woods. They reach their destination and begin a search.

Back at Air Force Base a 'teleprinter' is 'thwacking away' (what a wonderful sound it makes) An officer rips of the paper, gives it to Jeff who reads it, "Wallgate brilliant scientist, recluse considered highly eccentric." Jeff must go to see the Professor. Barbara answers the door and lets Jeff in. "I'd like to see the Professor," she shows Jeff into the Professor's study, Jeff says to Wallgate, "I've come to see you about this terrible business concerning the Mayor." The Prof replies, "A terrible tragedy." Jeff adds, "I need your help, this is the 4th death in the space of a few days, they're turning the townsfolk against us." the Prof says, "its just ignorance my dear fellow, these people are simple, one might say narrow in their outlook, the secrecies of your activities don't help, this development of radar boosted by atomic power." Jeff says, "what give you that idea Sir, " The Proff answers, "I read a piece in the Arriton journal, I put 2 and 2 together." the Proff offers Jeff a drink they discuss Vol 2 of the Proff's new book, Barbara says, "her head is buzzing with all the strange words." and goes of to transcript them. The Proff says, "I don't want to seem morbid, but did you see her brother's face after he died." Jeff says, "Yes," the Proff asks, "what was it like I have a reason for asking," Jeff tells him, "well it was an expression of complete horror, fright almost insane, could it have been supernatural, something unreal, something never seen by anyone before." The Proff replies, "I can't accept that I've always disproved such theories." Jeff continues to question the Professor whom is becoming quite upset, Barbara enters the room, she looks at Jeff and says, "was it absolutely necessary for you to upset the Professor, first Howard Gibbons now the Professor, you're quiet little talk is over Major." Jeff apologizes to the Prof, " I didn't mean to upset you Professor." he excuses himself and leaves.

Back at the woods the mob are still hunting for the madman it's nighttime. Gibbons asks, "Have you finished searching the quarry yet." he is told, "the men are tired and want to go home." Gibbons tells them, "you can't quit now, spread out, keep searching, we'll join up at the Adam's fence." Gibbons and his friend continue along the path, rifles ready. The strange squelchy crunching sound is heard. The pair split up and take different paths, the woods look very spooky, all is quiet, again the squelchy crunching noise is heard, it's getting closer and closer to Gibbon's friend, whom is becoming very afraid, he looks in all directions, he sees nothing, he panics he runs frantically in every direction shouting for Gibbons who is nowhere to be found.

Meanwhile back in the town Mrs Gibbons is being comforted by the doctor, Barbara says, "don't worry we'll find him Mrs Gibbons." The Mob return from the wood with guns and rifles, Mrs Gibbons cries, "where is he, Oh where is Howard!." the Mob tell her, "we've searched everywhere, he just disappeared." Mrs Gibbons is in Hysterics and screams, "Oh! But I gotta find him I gotta find my boy, I'll find him myself." she wanders of. The Doctor tells the Mob to make sure Mrs Gibbons gets home safely, the mob tell the Doctor, "we kept calling and calling for him, if he was alive he would have heard us." Another man says, "No point in searching anymore, we ought to call a council meeting, what about it Bradley." The Doctor says, "Ahh, lets get Melville he's the deputy Mayor, I suppose it's up to him."

The council meeting gets underway, the chairman 'bangs' a hammer on the table saying, "everyone quiet please, you all know why we're hear, we've had 4 deaths and our constable is missing, some think the air base is connected and for that reason I've asked Major Cummings along." The meeting progresses, Howard wants to cut out the 'soft soap' and get down to 'brass tacks', another farmer wants to know why the quality and quantity of his cow's milk has fallen. Jeff tries to reassure them that the air base has nothing to do with the deaths, adding "he didn't know enough about farming to...." Howard 'butts in', "Grazell did, he knew his business." Barbara calms things by saying, "it was the noise of the jets that frightened the cows, they've got used to it now." Someone mentions a mad G.I. on the prowl, but Jeff denounces this by telling them we have checked and rechecked their personnel. Jeff tries to continue, but a strange, loud, very spooky, groaning, wailing noise is heard, the doors swing open it's Gibbons, he's in a non compos mentis state, his face is full of terror and horror sweat drips from his brow, he looks totally insane like a zombie, (acting at it's best) something very terrible has happened to him.

Later on Jeff and Barbara are discussing the things that have happened, Jeff hints, "I think Professor Wallgate is involved in these deaths, it's a hunch I have, it's his background and training, I've checked somehow I think it ties in." Barbara replies, "Oh, that's crazy." Jeff takes a torch and tells Barbara he's gonna take a look at the cemetery. Jeff is making his way through the cemetery (eerie music playing), a door opens in one of the tombs, a stranger comes out and hides from Jeff, who approaches the door and inspects it, he goes inside. He descends a flight of stone stairs (brilliant echo of his footsteps) he's inside a vault, there's a coffin on the table with a dead man inside, a tobacco pipe is on the table he lifts it and puts it into his pocket. Suddenly the Vault door creaks and closes Jeff runs back up the stairs, he tries to shoulder the door open, he can't he's trapped inside. He shouts, "Hey!,Hey!," he bangs the door breaking his flashlight, he descends the stairs, he lights a match finds a candle which he lights, takes the candlestick looks around him, (listen out for those footsteps they have to be heard to be believed) he goes back to the door and feels around it.

Chester sits at his desk he speaks over the intercom, "any word from Major Cummings." the reply is, "No! Sir!," He phones Miss Grazell who tells Chester that Jeff left her house last night about 7:30pm to go to investigate the graveyard. The Captain tells her to meet him at the cemetery. Meanwhile underground Jeff is struggling with the door, the candle slowly goes out, and Jeff is running out of Oxygen. Outside Miss Grazell and the Captain are passing through the cemetery, Jeff can only tap the candlestick on the door, but they hear it and run towards it and with great effort manage to open the vault door. Jeff is in a semi comatose state. Barbara says, "Jeff its Barbara are you alright." Jeff manages to say, "Barbara." Harry says, "you're not dreamin buddy it's Barbara, take it easy now we'll get you back to base."

Mr Wallgate is at his desk, Jeff and Barbara have come to talk to him, Jeff speaks, "I hope you can help us Sir." Jeff offers him a cigarette but Wallgate says, "I have my pipe." but he can't find it. Jeff says, "Professor I read one of your books MATERIALIZATION OF THOUGHT, how a man could create power by thought." The Prof Replies, "I said it was impossible didn't I, I'm tired and sick stop badgering me." Jeff pulls out the tobacco pipe and says, "Are you looking for this." The Professor crumbles, "I didn't mean to shut you in, I wanted time to get away I called Barbara...." Jeff says, "If she hadn't rescued me I wouldn't be alive." The Professor tells them he had to find out the truth and he examined the Mayor's body. (the squelchy squeamish noise is heard) the Professor contorts and goes into a semi-conscious state, Jeff and Barbara hold him and ask what's the matter, he recovers slightly and says, "it's a terrible story, you've got to shut down your atomic radar plant." Jeff says, "call Dr Bradley I'm going back to the base, I'll be back soon." He kisses Barbara (WOW! what a kiss) he says, "I'll try that again when I've more time."

Jeff is trying to persuade the Colonel to shut down the atomic plant, he explains how the deaths occurred at the peak of their tests and it's not worth the risk. The Colonel says, "O.K. lets put it on ice." In the control room Jeff asks how long it will take to shut down the plant. Pete replies, "About 5 minutes." another man enters the room and says, "the rods are all smashed." Pete says, "We’ll never be able to shut her down now." Jeff inquires about spares and is told the nearest supplier is the Handford Works at the Columbia River. Jeff lifts the phone, "get me the Handford Works on the Columbia river right away."

Back at Wallgates the Doctor has finished examining him and Barbara asks if he is ok. The Dr replies, "Oh, sure, sure, sure, see he gets plenty of rest, call me if there's any change." Barbara says, "Major Cummings says he'll be back soon." At the Master control the Colonel is explaining to Jeff the 'Rods' were destroyed on purpose and we're in big trouble." A Buzzer sounds its Barbara on the phone; Jeff reassures her he'll be straight over. Jeff tells the Colonel, "Wallgate is unconscious we better get over there right away Sir." The Colonel orders Hall to get the side arms, he tells Casper to get hold of Bradley and Melville and meet them at Wallgates. So everybody is congregated around Wallgate, who has recovered slightly, he speaks, "I shall feel better after I have told you everything, maybe you can help me clear up this business, those horrible deaths were beyond my control, for many years now I have been working on a theory, 'Thought Materialization' and the apparatus to give it the boost required is in my laboratory, I know I could never succeed in telepathy, I needed to stimulate my brain, to the extent I could detach thought from my conscious to give it a separate entity of it's own. I constructed the simplest experiment to turn the page of a book, I designed a instrument to create a sudden and a powerful electric boost to help me free my thought, but each application of the electrical charge created a shock, almost equal to electrocution it made me ill, for a long time I persisted in the one experiment until one night, I was able to turn the page by thought alone. It was the Lightening striking the house that gave my instruments a sudden fire and charge of power, and my thought was free, I altered the design of my equipment to generate these violent power boosts, but it was all very dangerous, when I felt well enough to absorb the shock I found no difficulties in moving small objects, I developed a certain 'Tele-Sense' to the high voltages, but I really needed a new source of power, the Air Base provided me with this power. I devised additional apparatus that enabled me to divert a portion of the atomic power that was radiating at the air force base, it was power I could control, and I learned how to amplify my thoughts, I was able to detach my thoughts and allow them to work on their own, I devised a beam into which the thought could enter, and preserve it's self for all humanity, I envisaged something akin to the human brain with life and mobility but without the limitations of man's body, I concentrated my entire thought on it’s creation, I succeeded but like thought it’s self it was invisible, that night I entered my laboratory to take advantage of the radar tests, only to find the place in shambles, my equipment wrecked beyond repair, all my notes about it’s creation and how I thought it could be controlled were destroyed I knew I had created a ‘fiend’ there was no other explanation, I was helpless, but whom could I tell, who would believe such a fantastic story, I could sense the presence of the ‘fiend’ in the room with me, growing more powerful each day, my one desire was to destroy the thing, but I possessed no means of projecting my thought to do so, then I could hear it, was it possible that there was more than one, I was unable to stop them, they were now drawing power from the atomic station, it’s intelligence had expanded it now knew how to make it’s escape (brick through window) then followed these horrible deaths, the madness of Gibbons, I had to see one of the bodies, I went to the Mayor’s tomb, I now know I created a MENTAL VAMPIRE, a ‘fiend’ that needs to drain the intellect to survive and multiply.” Jeff asks, “suppose you’re right Proff how does it live.” Wallgate replies, “how else but from the brains and nerve centres removed from dead people, we’re facing a new form of life nobody understands, I believe it feeds on radiation from you’re atomic plant.” The Colonel thinks the Proff is a raving lunatic and it’s all in his mind. An officer spots something outside (fiend sounds) plants and bushes are ruffled by some invisible force, the Colonel checks the phone line it’s dead, he tells Jeff to set up emergency patrols. Suddenly the invisible ‘fiend’ grabs the officer; he contorts in strangulation, screams and falls outside dead. Jeff orders the windows to be boarded up with the lumber in Wallgates laboratory. Melville starts to panic, “I’ve got to get out!, I’ve got to get out!” Barbara comforts him, “pull yourself together, and help me to move this table.” They frantically manage to secure the room; Jeff asks Wallgate, “is there anything that would make them visible.” He replies, “Nothing I know, unless it’s the amount of atomic radiation that’s available.” Back at the control room Pete watches the needle on the gauge enter the Red Sector (danger) he tries to tell the Colonel via radio, but begins to twist and flinch the invisible ‘fiend’ has him, he fights in vain and falls down dead, the needle moves into the Red section, suddenly the ‘fiend’ becomes visible, we see a grotesque, living ‘slug-like’ human brain with tentacles crawling on it’s spinal column. The survivors have barricaded themselves in Wallgates office, Melville has another ‘panic attack’ and told to get a grip of him self. A window is broken, all is quiet. Wallgate wants the Atomic plant shut down he tells the Colonel, “That without radiation these things must die. A man looks out of the window and cries, “Good grief!” outside the whole area is covered in ‘fiends’ repulsive, nauseating, festering, odious creatures. The Colonel says, “They’ve become visible.” Wallgate adds, “Some one or something must have increased the power at the Atomic plant, what have I unleashed.” The group observe the ghastly, hideous, balls of mucus slither across the lawn. Jeff orders, “Get the side arms.” Wallgate says, “I’m sure it’s the Atomic plant, as long as it goes on they will multiply, getting stronger and stronger.” Out comes the side arms, they begin to shoot, (some riveting effects plus audio with stomach churning scenes) Jeff puts a bullet through one of the ‘slimy brains’ and says, “They’re mortal.”

Melville is having another ‘panic attack’ he moves from the window to the fire place, just as a ‘fiend’ falls down the chimney, Melville looks in terror, the ‘fiend’ propels its self at Melville and puts him in a strangle hold, with it’s spine wrapped around Melville’s neck, he collapses, Jeff lifts an axe and ‘chops’ the brain in half. The Doc tells Jeff, “He’s dead.” Jeff says, “We’ve got to stop them.” They decide the only way is to shut down the Atomic plant, there’s a dynamite shed nearby and if they could get some dynamite they could blow up the control room. Jeff gets nominated and Barbara says, “Be careful Jeff please.” and kisses him (much better). The Colonel says, “Cover him as he leaves, don’t waste a bullet.” (Action packed sequence) Wallgate tells the Doctor, “They’re my creation perhaps I can control them, lock the door after me.” Wallgate runs across the lawn amid the ‘fiends’ one launches its self at him, but it is shot down (mid air), but 3 more attack him and lock their spines around his neck, Wallgate issues his last scream and drops dead. There’s a close up of the 3 ‘fiends’ feasting on Wallgate’s body (not for the faint hearted) The Colonel comments, “That was a brave man.” Barbara is worried about Jeff, and they continue to shoot the ‘fiends’ one by one from the trees and shrubs. Jeff continues running through the woods, he takes a tumble but makes it to the Dynamite shed, he forces the door and goes inside, fetches some dynamite, only to be confronted by a ‘brain creature’ which springs at him, Jeff uses his side arm and shoots it in mid air (Wow!) it falls oozing blood and gunge, Jeff makes his way to the Atomic plant, the area is littered with bodies. Barbara is very worried about Jeff, the creatures start to break through the boarded window, (look out for a ‘fiend’ that explodes…then we hear the gunshot…) more and more creatures pounce through the window, (Great animation, coupled with complimentary audio make these scenes Unmissable) a ‘fiend’ springs unto Barbara’s neck, she screams, the Doctor pulls it of and throws it away. At the control room Jeff is lighting the fuse on the dynamite, he is attacked by another ‘fiend’ but makes good use of his trusty side arm. Back at the house another creature attacks Barbara she screams….

Jeff dives for cover behind a jeep as the Atomic plant erupts in an enormous explosion, the Brain creature that has attached it’s self to Barbara’s neck becomes limp and falls to the ground, outside they begin to fall from the trees and bushes, they start to melt into a horrible ‘gungy-goo’. Our Hero Jeff comes racing across the field in the jeep and arrives at the house, inside the Colonel is speaking, “Well Captain let’s get started, Doc I’ll send you some help as soon as I get over to the Air Base.” Barbara cries, “What about Jeff he’s been gone for hours.” The door opens in walks our Hero Jeff, Barbara looks at him her face lights up, she smiles and says, “Jefff!, Jefff!,” she rushes over and hugs him. Jeff says, “Its O.K. honey, it’s all over.” The Colonel says to Jeff, “Well Major I’m leaving you in charge report back when you have the situation well in hand.” Jeff says to the Doc, “Well Doc now that we’ve got this thing licked you’ll encourage your people to cooperate with us.” The Doc replies, “Well I reckon we owe it to you Major, and it strikes me that you’re setting a good example.” Soft music is playing; Jeff and Barbara hold each other tightly and engage in a passionate kiss (Wow!)…such a ‘feel good’ ending….we’re safe.....thank you.

 

Strangulation.

The cumbrous grip thy tyrannous terrors κραυγή,

Ah!Profaning all the embattl'd voces,till thee end,

the conqueror swells rache on the deathful proud of evil,

unlike thee wretches that sit past thy dispensing dolori,

Ay,rambles or yore conceiv'd thy громы of alarms,

'twas on thy fragments of worms that thous illusores innards perish,

the brûlant bitter heart betrays beneath thy bewild'ring battle,

upon a thrilling shadow rides thee жалостан trembling storven,

thy despair, 'tis a ελεεινός story so e'er cried,

hear now a funeral oratiónem spoken dimly on a not so distant gory,

poor weeping corrupt'd vanità contemplations continue same,

as wickedness wanders as a shew tortur,d demütigung you,

all alterations com'th on mendaciis O' what a labourous course,

scoffing thy повреждения that are establish'd on thous fundamental plate,

which thy difformité of distinguish'd ones posture thyselves 'tis a arbitrement chokes,

as revenge is travieso thy unpardonable perfidious ocean stirs,

across malicious environs a linguistic nightmare,so are thys allusions cit'd

While ignoramuses mislead similarities of controversies in textuum announce,

vast επείγοντα θέματα result in volumes lavished laid,

those serviceable desideri nothing but arguments with vanity at its core,

uškrcení may not be enough to end thy endeavourer's of thy wick'd oracles reports.

Steve.D.Hammond.

The Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni), exclusively found in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, was not considered a subspecies in its own right until 2004. The new classification came about after a study by Luo et al. from the Laboratory of Genomic Diversity Study, part of the National Cancer Institute of the United States. Recent counts showed there are 600–800 tigers in the wild, making it the third largest tiger population, behind the Bengal tiger and the Indochinese tiger. The Malayan tiger is the smallest of the mainland tiger subspecies, and the second smallest living subspecies, with males averaging about 120 kg and females about 100 kg in weight. The Malayan tiger is a national icon in Malaysia, appearing on its coat of arms and in logos of Malaysian institutions, such as Maybank.

 

The tiger,a member of the Felidae family, is the largest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera. The tiger is native to much of eastern and southern Asia, and is an apex predator and an obligate carnivore. The larger tiger subspecies are comparable in size to the biggest extinct felids, reaching up to 3.3 metres (11 ft) in total length, weighing up to 300 kilograms (660 pounds), and having canines up to 4 inches (100 mm) long. Aside from their great bulk and power, their most recognisable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes that overlays near-white to reddish-orange fur, with lighter underparts. The most numerous tiger subspecies is the Bengal tiger, while the largest is the Siberian tiger.

 

Tigers have a lifespan of 10–15 years in the wild, but can live longer than 20 years in captivity. They are highly adaptable and range from the Siberian taiga to open grasslands and tropical mangrove swamps.

 

They are territorial and generally solitary animals, often requiring large contiguous areas of habitat that support their prey demands. This, coupled with the fact that they are indigenous to some of the more densely populated places on earth, has caused significant conflicts with humans. Three of the nine subspecies of modern tiger have gone extinct, and the remaining six are classified as endangered, some critically so. The primary direct causes are habitat destruction, fragmentation, and hunting.

 

Historically, tigers have existed from Mesopotamia and the Caucasus throughout most of South and East Asia. Today, the range of the species is radically reduced. All surviving species are under formal protection, yet poaching, habitat destruction, and inbreeding depression continue to threaten the tigers.

 

Tigers are among the most recognisable and popular of the world's charismatic megafauna. They have featured prominently in ancient mythology and folklore, and continue to be depicted in modern films and literature. Tigers appear on many flags and coats of arms, as mascots for sporting teams, and as the national animal of several Asian nations, including India.

 

Tigers typically have rusty-reddish to brown-rusty coats, a whitish medial and ventral area, a white "fringe" that surrounds the face, and stripes that vary from brown or gray to pure black. The form and density of stripes differs between subspecies (as well as the ground coloration of the fur; for instance, Siberian tigers are usually paler than other tiger subspecies), but most tigers have over 100 stripes.

 

The pattern of stripes is unique to each animal, these unique markings can be used by researchers to identify individuals (both in the wild and captivity), much in the same way that fingerprints are used to identify humans. It seems likely that the function of stripes is camouflage, serving to help tigers conceal themselves amongst the dappled shadows and long grass of their environment as they stalk their prey. The stripe pattern is also found on the skin of the tiger. If a tiger were to be shaved, its distinctive camouflage pattern would be preserved.

 

Like other big cats, tigers have a white spot on the backs of their ears. These spots, called ocelli, serve a social function, by communicating the animal's mental state to conspecifics in the gloom of dense forest or in tall grass.

 

Tigers have the additional distinction of being the heaviest cats found in the wild. They also have powerfully built legs and shoulders, with the result that they, like lions, have the ability to pull down prey substantially heavier than themselves. However, the subspecies differ markedly in size, tending to increase proportionally with latitude, as predicted by Bergmann's Rule.

 

Large male Siberian Tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) can reach a total length of 3.5 m "over curves" (3.3 m. "between pegs") and a weight of 306 kilograms,. This is considerably larger than the sizes reached by island-dwelling tigers such as the Sumatran, the smallest living subspecies, with a body weight of only 75–140 kg. Depending upon subspecies tigers may be 1.4-2.8 m (4.6-9.2 ft) long from along the head and body, while the tail may add a further 0.6-1.1 m (2-3.6 ft). At the shoulder, tigers may variously stand 0.7-1.2 m (2.1–4 ft) tall.

 

Tigresses are smaller than the males in each subspecies, although the size difference between male and female tigers tends to be more pronounced in the larger subspecies of tiger, with males weighing up to 1.7 times more than the females. In addition, male tigers have wider forepaw pads than females. Biologists use this difference to determine gender based on tiger tracks. The skull of the tiger is very similar to that of the lion, though the frontal region is usually not as depressed or flattened, with a slightly longer postorbital region. The skull of a lion has broader nasal openings. However, due to the amount of skull variation in the two species, usually, only the structure of the lower jaw can be used as a reliable indicator of species.

 

Tigers have round pupils and yellow irises (except for the blue eyes of white tigers). Due to a retinal adaptation that reflects light back to the retina, the night vision of tigers is six times better than that of humans.

 

Tigers are essentially solitary and territorial animals. The size of a tiger's home range mainly depends on prey abundance, and, in the case of male tigers, on access to females. A tigress may have a territory of 20 square kilometres, while the territories of males are much larger, covering 60–100 km2. The range of a male tends to overlap those of several females.

  

Tigers for the most part are solitary animals.The relationships between individuals can be quite complex, and it appears that there is no set "rule" that tigers follow with regards to territorial rights and infringing territories. For instance, although for the most part tigers avoid each other, both male and female tigers have been documented sharing kills. George Schaller observed a male tiger share a kill with two females and four cubs. Females are often reluctant to let males near their cubs, but Schaller saw that these females made no effort to protect or keep their cubs from the male, suggesting that the male might have been the father of the cubs. In contrast to male lions, male tigers will allow the females and cubs to feed on the kill first. Furthermore, tigers seem to behave relatively amicably when sharing kills, in contrast to lions, which tend to squabble and fight. Unrelated tigers have also been observed feeding on prey together. The following quotation is from Stephen Mills' book Tiger, as he describes an event witnessed by Valmik Thapar and Fateh Singh Rathore in Ranthambhore.

 

A dominant tigress they called Padmini killed a 250 kg (550-lb) male nilgai – a very large antelope. They found her at the kill just after dawn with her three 14-month-old cubs and they watched uninterrupted for the next ten hours. During this period the family was joined by two adult females and one adult male – all offspring from Padmini's previous litters and by two unrelated tigers, one female the other unidentified. By three o'clock there were no fewer than nine tigers round the kill.

 

When young female tigers first establish a territory, they tend to do so fairly close to their mother's area. The overlap between the female and her mother's territory tends to wane with increasing time. Males, however, wander further than their female counterparts, and set out at a younger age to mark out their own area. A young male will acquire territory either by seeking out a range devoid of other male tigers, or by living as a transient in another male's territory until he is old and strong enough to challenge the resident male. The highest mortality rate (30–35% per year) amongst adult tigers occurs for young male tigers who have just left their natal area, seeking out territories of their own.

 

The large canines are used to make the killing bite, but they tear meat when feeding using the carnassial teeth.Male tigers are generally more intolerant of other males within their territory than females are of other females. For the most part, however, territorial disputes are usually solved by displays of intimidation, rather than outright aggression. Several such incidents have been observed, in which the subordinate tiger yielded defeat by rolling onto its back, showing its belly in a submissive posture. Once dominance has been established, a male may actually tolerate a subordinate within his range, as long as they do not live in too close quarters. The most violent disputes tend to occur between two males when a female is in oestrus, and may result in the death of one of the males, although this is a rare occurrence.

 

To identify his territory, the male marks trees by spraying of urine and anal gland secretions, as well as marking trails with scat. Males show a grimacing face, called the Flehmen response, when identifying a female's reproductive condition by sniffing their urine markings. Like the other Panthera cats, tigers can roar. Tigers will roar for both aggressive and non-aggressive reasons. Other tiger vocal communications include moans, hisses, growls and chuffs.

 

Tigers have been studied in the wild using a variety of techniques. The populations of tigers were estimated in the past using plaster casts of their pugmarks. This method was found faulty[68] and attempts were made to use camera trapping instead. Newer techniques based on DNA from their scat are also being evaluated. Radio collaring has also been a popular approach to tracking them for study in the wild.

 

In the wild, tigers mostly feed on larger and medium sized animals. Sambar, gaur, chital, barasingha, wild boar, nilgai and both water buffalo and domestic buffalo are the tiger's favoured prey in India. Sometimes, they also prey on leopards, pythons, sloth bears and crocodiles. In Siberia the main prey species are manchurian wapiti, wild boar, sika deer, moose, roe deer, and musk deer. In Sumatra, sambar, muntjac, wild boar, and malayan tapir are preyed on. In the former Caspian tiger's range, prey included saiga antelope, camels, caucasian wisent, yak, and wild horses. Like many predators, they are opportunistic and will eat much smaller prey, such as monkeys, peafowls, hares, and fish.

 

Adult elephants are too large to serve as common prey, but conflicts between tigers and elephants do sometimes take place. A case where a tiger killed an adult Indian Rhinoceros has been observed. Young elephant and rhino calves are occasionally taken. Tigers also sometimes prey on domestic animals such as dogs, cows, horses, and donkeys. These individuals are termed cattle-lifters or cattle-killers in contrast to typical game-killers.

 

Old tigers, or those wounded and rendered incapable of catching their natural prey, have turned into man-eaters; this pattern has recurred frequently across India. An exceptional case is that of the Sundarbans, where healthy tigers prey upon fishermen and villagers in search of forest produce, humans thereby forming a minor part of the tiger's diet. Tigers will occasionally eat vegetation for dietary fiber, the fruit of the Slow Match Tree being favoured.

 

Tigers are thought to be nocturnal predators, hunting at night. However, in areas where humans are absent, they have been observed via remote controlled, hidden cameras hunting during the daylight hours. They generally hunt alone and ambush their prey as most other cats do, overpowering them from any angle, using their body size and strength to knock large prey off balance. Even with their great masses, tigers can reach speeds of about 49–65 kilometres per hour (35–40 miles per hour), although they can only do so in short bursts, since they have relatively little stamina; consequently, tigers must be relatively close to their prey before they break their cover. Tigers have great leaping ability; horizontal leaps of up to 10 metres have been reported, although leaps of around half this amount are more typical. However, only one in twenty hunts ends in a successful kill.

 

When hunting large prey, tigers prefer to bite the throat and use their forelimbs to hold onto the prey, bringing it to the ground. The tiger remains latched onto the neck until its prey dies of strangulation. By this method, gaurs and water buffalos weighing over a ton have been killed by tigers weighing about a sixth as much. With small prey, the tiger bites the nape, often breaking the spinal cord, piercing the windpipe, or severing the jugular vein or common carotid artery. Though rarely observed, some tigers have been recorded to kill prey by swiping with their paws, which are powerful enough to smash the skulls of domestic cattle, and break the backs of sloth bears.

 

During the 1980s, a tiger named "Genghis" in Ranthambhore National Park was observed frequently hunting prey through deep lake water, a pattern of behaviour that had not been previously witnessed in over 200 years of observations. Moreover, he appeared to be extraordinarily successful for a tiger, with as many as 20% of hunts ending in a kill.

 

Tiger Mountain

Bronx Zoo New York

She wanted to go up the tree, honest! We didn't make her, we told her it was raining and it would be slippy... The strangulation marks? Err.....

 

More dead Miel from Louise's shoot with MUA James Clark. Miel was an absolute star getting down in the muck and rain for this shoot, and after getting shredded trapseing through the woods as well.

 

No make-up artists, models or photographers were harmed in making this shoot.... well, not really harmed.

 

Our Daily Challenge:

 

PIECES is the topic for TUESday 26, July 2022

 

And

 

Monday Music Mania

 

The Rolling Stones - Jigsaw Puzzle (Official Lyric Video)

 

youtu.be/E8cJ1Wa6U3o

 

HMMM!

  

Those machines are freaking huge. The only thing they are getting closer to with those machines are herniated disks, toner poisoning, tie strangulation, and the ability to count 4 in less that 3 weeks.

my first murder was an accident i never meant to do,

i had been going for his wallet, wound up taking his life too.

i had him cornered in an alley with my gun against his face,

i said "hand over your money and i'll send you on your way"

but he just had to play the hero and refused to cooperate.

 

the second time i killed a man i did it for revenge,

yeah, been flirting with my woman and i could not let that stand.

so when he got up to leave the bar i followed him out back,

pinned him in between a brick wall and my stolen cadillac,

kept on inching that car forward 'til i felt his ribcage crack.

 

now, three and four were easier but i'm really not sure why,

i had picked up a couple hitch hikers out on route I-995.

i dont claim to understand it, but i think i lost my head,

all that i remember was the way their clothes turned red,

when i came back to my senses i had stabbed them both to death.

 

now by this time i had become accustomed to the kill,

i'm not proud about it but i kind of like the thrill.

to feel the heartbeat in the throat, the terror in the eyes,

the sorry choking noises as they beg you for their lives.

for strangulation music, that was number five.

 

six i did for money, it was just another job.

and seven, out of desperation, i had to kill a cop.

they caught up with me in reno as i ran the state line,

the hostages i'd taken, number eight and number nine.

now they've got me surrounded but they won't get me alive.

 

so i'm holed up in some motel and i'm loading up my gun,

i'm staring out the window, there's a thousand cops out front,

they've circled me like vultures, but i feel so far away.

 

everybody has to die, there is no escape,

the only thing that changes is how long you have to wait.

i'm not going to spend my whole life behind metal bars,

so get ready, i'm coming. let's see who's the fastest draw...

 

10 Simple Murders, The Future Kings of Nowhere

On February 23, 1950, Mrs. Anna Corbin (nee Anna Laura Lawton, born 1898), a 52-year-old head housekeeper at the Preston School of Industry, a reformatory for boys in Ione, California, was found dead and wrapped in a carpet rolled up on the floor of this narrow basement storeroom. She had about 15 separate wounds about her head and body and had a rope drawn tightly around her neck. For the first two weeks after the killing, no arrests were made. The demands by the public for solving the crime became incessant. A short time thereafter the sheriff of Amador county, George W. Lucot, arrested 19-year-old Eugene Monroe, one of the few black inmates at the institution, and charged him with the murder of Mrs. Corbin. Monroe had been spotted by two school employees near Corbin's office around the time of the murder. Other wards had seen him burning his clothes in an incinerator after the slaying. One ward said Monroe confessed, and the suspect was found to be in possession of a belt smeared with blood. A flimsy case was formed against Monroe who was tried three separate times but never convicted. The first two trials were both hung juries. The third trial ended in Monroe's full acquittal. Anna Corbin's killer was never officially found.

 

The day after his acquittal, the California Youth Authority decided to parole Eugene Monroe. A year later he was arrested for and openly confessed to the rape and murder of Vesta Sapenter (a pregnant woman not associated to the Corbin case) in Tulsa. He was sentenced to life in prison, plus an extra 40 years for the separate armed robbery of another woman.

 

Preston Castle is renown for it's many ghost stories. It is said that Anna Corbin's restive spirit, along with others, remain trapped and continue to haunt the halls of this old and decaying structure.

 

Anna Corbin is buried at East Lawn Memorial Park in Sacramento, California.

______________________________________________

© EVAN READER

 

Copyright for this photo belongs solely to EVAN READER, GREATEST PAKA PHOTOGRAPHY. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the express written permission of the photographer.

Female Kankakee Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi).

 

Bullsnakes are one of the largest native snakes in North America, dwarfed only by the eastern indigo snake, Drymarchon corais couperi (National Park Service 2015); this is dismissing the presence of the invasive Burmese pythons and green anacondas in the Florida everglades. The bullsnake can reach lengths of over seven feet, with individuals commonly ranging from fifty to seventy-two inches long (National Park Service 2015). They are also heavy bodied, with larger species capable of weighing almost ten pounds (Snake Facts). Its coloration is a yellow-tan with rectangular blotches on its dorsal side that can range in shades from brown to black to reddish, forming a slight checkered pattern; the tail has between nine to nineteen dark bands (Canadian Herpetological Society 2017). This coloration provides them perfect camouflage in their grassy habitats. The ventral side is a light cream-yellow with black checker marks (Illinois Natural History Survey 2018). The scales are strongly keeled, giving them a rough texture (Illinois Natural History Survey 2018). Its eyes are an orange or reddish color with round pupils (National Park Service 2015). The head is very distinct, being disproportionately small in comparison to the body, with black bars around the eyes and mouth, and a slightly elongated and upturned rostral scale (Kapfer 2007); this scale is not as distinct as those seen on species like the hognose snake, but it still functions to assist the snake in burrowing. Common to other snakes in the Pituophis genus, these snakes have a thin and flexible epiglottis that, when air from the trachea is forced through it, creates a loud hiss that has been described as similar to the grunt of a bull, likely giving the snake its common name (Schmidt & Davis 1941).

 

This species is highly wide ranging, appearing from southern Canada to Northern Mexico and from California east into Indiana (Canadian Herpetological Society 2017). Instances of interbreeding in areas where multiple subspecies of P. catenifer interact on the boundaries of their ranges lead to some taxonomic confusion (National Park Service 2015). They can have extensive territory ranges, with a single snake capable of utilizing over a square mile of space for its daily activities (Carpenter Nature Center 2016), and they can travel even more than that distance to reach their summer habitat from their winter hibernacula (Canadian Herpetological Society 2017). As a native of the American Great Plains, the bull snake prefers habitats such as grasslands, sandhills, shrublands, prairies, and old agricultural fields (National Park Service 2015); in Illinois, they are extensive throughout the sand prairies in the central and northwestern counties (Illinois Natural History Survey 2018). They can spend up to sixty percent of their time in burrows underground, typically using old gopher burrows as a site to hunt and hide from predators (Carpenter Nature Center 2016). In order to avoid harsh winter conditions that occur throughout much of their range, bull snakes hibernate below the frost line in their underground burrows, typically in groups. It is interesting to note that these aggregations often are not just of conspecifics; bull snakes have been known to share hibernacula with racers, milksnakes, garter snakes, and even rattlesnakes (National Park Service 2015). Additionally, each species enters and leaves the hibernacula at different times – the bullsnake will leave in the spring after garter snakes but before rattlesnakes (Graham 1997).

 

Bullsnakes commonly consume small mammals, particularly rodents, as well as the occasional bird and their eggs, and even newborns are capable of capturing and consuming small mice (Graham 1997). They will also consume frogs when available, but this makes up a very small portion of their diet (Wheaton Park District 2018). These large snakes are constrictors, subduing their prey via strangulation before consuming it whole (Graham 1997). As a diurnal species, they hunt for prey during the day, typically in the morning and late afternoon in order to avoid direct sunlight of midday but still benefit from the warmth of the environment, and when the temperatures in peak summer get too hot, they will occasionally switch to being active at night for several weeks (Graham 1997). During the day they will also alternatively bask or seek cooler shelter, a cycle that aids in digestion and energy conservation before and after hunting (Graham 1997). Mammals like skunks or birds of prey like raptors commonly predate on the young, but once they reach their full length, they have few predators and remain relatively undisturbed (Graham 1997).

 

Bullsnakes begin to mate once they emerge from their hibernacula in March through May, with males emerging earlier than females (Graham 1997). Males reach sexual maturity earlier in life, at one to two years old, but females mature later at three to five years (Canadian Herpetological Society 2017). The female will excavate burrows and lay a clutch of eggs in late summer, between June and August (National Park Service 2015). A single clutch typically has between three to twenty-four eggs, usually over two inches long and creamy white with the stereotypical parchment shell common to all snakes (Graham 1997). What is interesting is that, much like their hibernacula, nesting sites also tend to be communal, so a particularly large clutch of eggs in a burrow is likely to be from more than one female (Illinois Natural History Survey 2018). The young are left unattended and hatch in August or September, an average of around eighty days, and are around twelve inches long (Illinois Natural History Survey 2018). They will disperse quickly from the nest because they need to find their own meals; as previously mentioned, even these relatively small young are capable of constricting small rodents (Graham 1997). In the wild, these snakes can live to be around twelve years old, and in captivity this more than doubles to around thirty years of age (Carpenter Nature Center 2016). This old age is possibly due to their adult size, as other animals do not easily consume them.

 

Studio photo by Nick Dobbs 12-07-2025

Trade paperback - Ballantine Books-Del Rey - ISBN 978-0-345-46151-3 - first edition published 2003

comments by CR:

The Coming of Conan The Cimmerian - [0745 - 2017-03-27]

 

My first introduction to "Conan" were the Lancer paperbacks I starting buying in 1966. All of the Lancer editions were edited by or co-written with other authors mostly L. Sprague deCamp. How this "editing and co-authorship" took place 30 years after Howard's death was never adequately explained. Nonetheless I found in the Conan tales a creditable character that excited my teen-age imagination.

 

Howard was a prolific writer and his Conan stories were one of many characters and general themes he wrote about.

 

Fortunately readers appreciation for Howard's Conan stories took root and starting approximately 2002 a handsome series of trade paperbacks were published by Ballantine Books. Robert E. Howard (1906-36) is know today primarily as the author who introduced Conan to the reading public which in turn created the genre of sword and sorcery fiction. What is not as well known is that Howard in his short life had published a couple hundred stories. The majority were supernatural themed fictions with gallant protagonists but were not all "Conan" stories.

 

Ten of the thirteen stories in this Ballantine edition, "The Coming of Conan The Cimmerian" were first published in Wierd Tales magazine during 1932-34. The remaining three were resurrected and published in various publication after his death.

 

The Stories in the order they appear with first publication in ():

 

The Phoenix on the Sword (1932)

Conan the barbarian is King(!) and is the subject of a palace coup d'état. An ancient wizard impresses the sign of the phoenix on his sword giving him the measured advantage in a duel with a supernatural foe.

 

The Frost-Giants Daughter (1976)

After a bloody battle in the frozen north Conan, the sole survivor, is mesmerized by the erotic vision of an ice maiden. Driven by his lust he follows her relentlessly until the Frost-Giant cools his ardor.

 

The God in the Bowl (1975)

Conan is hired by a foppish courtesan to pilfer a jewel from a museum of mystical artifacts. The museums overseer is found strangled and Conan is suspected but a minion of Set, the evil snake god, is the true perpetrator of the strangulation.

 

The Tower of the Elephant (1933)

A 150 foot tower houses an evil wizard and his mysterious jewel with magical powers. The tower is enchanted with spells and ghostly guards to deter foolish individuals intend on stealing the Elephant Eyes. Conan is undeterred and seek his fortune at the wizards expense.

 

The Scarlet Citadel (1933)

Palace intrigue finds Conan usurped from his throne and captive of a very malevolent sorcerer. Armies are on the move - pontoon bridges are employed - fortified cities are under siege - Conan find an unlikely ally in a fellow prisoner who employees mystical means to restore the cosmic balance.

 

Queen of the Black Coast (1934)

Conan falls in with a vivacious Pirate Queen with a unquenchable lust for plunder - especially jewels. An abandoned city in ruins surrounded by jungle along a turgid river leads to the Queen's undoing. Conan barely survives after battling a gigantic flying ape!

 

Black Colossus (1933)

A oracle tells a Queen regent to employ the first man she meets to save the kingdom from an the impend peril of invasion let by the devil himself. Conan, a man with no common sense, instead of jumping out the nearest window says "yes, I'll save the kingdom".

 

Iron Shadows of the Moon (1934)

Mysterious ruins with menacing statues that come to life in moonlight gives Conan ample opportunity to hack and bash his way to freedom.

 

Xuthal of the Dark (1933)

Escaping into a barren desert region with a clinging wench is almost Conan undoing until an oasis is spotted. Said oasis is a horror house of drugged pleasure seekers and the demon that feeds off them. Conan is fortunate to break out of the prison-like town with his life.

 

Pool of the Black One (1933)

Fished out of the ocean after escaping a misunderstanding ashore Conan falls in with a band of freebooters. A uncharted island, a scheming damsel and an evil entity keep Conan busy in this entertaining tale.

 

Rogues in the House (1934)

As a price for being sprung from prison Conan must dispatch a conniving priest and his half-man half-ape. Complications set it and much blood is spilt.

 

Vale of Lost Woman (first publication 1967)

A high principled princess is captured by a band of lusty natives. Seeing Conan as her only hope for rescue - and the preserving of her virtue - the princess promises him her "desirable quality" if he can liberate her. Conan obliges but said princess eludes Conan's embrace only to fall in with some "Lost Women" which necessitates a second rescue by Conan..

 

Devil in Iron (1934)

Another swampy island with a ruined temple leads Conan to an encounter with a supernatural daemon. A magical knife, an encounter with a 40 foot snake(!) and a reluctant half naked damsel in distress cannot deter Conan!

  

There is something gratifying to possess a book that reflects a publishers and editors respect and admiration for the author and the subject matter; " The Coming of Conan The Cimmerian " is such a book. This Del Ray trade paperback is an original edition published in 2002. The 464-page book includes in addition to the stories outlined above, approximately 100 pages of Conan reference material. These includes Howard's drafts for several of the stories, maps, notes etc. This is a definitive reference for the Howard student and for just curious readers. Quality paper and a very readable font make this a worthy book for fans and collectors.

 

Each story is illustrated with several quarter page drawings and a near full-page illustration by Mark Schultz. Mr. Schultz provided an article about how he approached drawing Conan.

 

The majority of the stories were first published in Wierd Tales magazine during 1925-37. The executors of his estate published another group of stories well after Howard's death.

 

Howard's character Conan is deceptively simple: likes to drink, wench and fight. He is dubious of the gods, uneasy when in the presence of supernatural evil and for the most part a loner. He is also very, very lucky. Howard is a master story teller with a outstanding talent for narrative pacing and descriptive prose. For the most part the stories are entertaining and colorfully written.

 

The question of genuine significance for potential readers or just the curious is: are the stories worth reading - or are they just historical literary curiosities. answer of course is subjective but if your inclined to these type stories you would do well not to pass up on this collection.

 

For more information about the making of SEX MACHINE, check out How to make a Horror Movie for $8,000.

There’s not a pier I visit that doesn’t have some level of dangerously discarded fishing monofilament, hooks, and other wildlife hazards. These photos were shot at the Coast Guard pier in Monterey, and these particular hooks and lines were cast in the “no fishing” area, behind a fence. So many of the rocks on the breakwater have monofilament wrapped around the mussels, in the same areas where birds and sea lions haul out. This is a pier where there are many disposal receptacles for fishing monofilament. Fisher people cast in the same areas where cormorants nest, raise their young, and forage for food and nesting material. The second photo shows a California sea lion with an entanglement injury:

 

flic.kr/p/2npkGVa

 

This sea lion was one of the fortunate ones, rescued, with the strangulation element removed. Even after removal, the sea lion bears the significant scar from that injury. Fishing gear entanglements are, unequivocally, the most frequent wildlife injuries I see. Sometimes the animals can be rescued, sometimes they cannot. For as much harm as stray fishing gear does, I wish fishing were prohibited in areas where the wildlife hazards are particularly acute.

 

My recent blog post on this issue:

www.ingridtaylar.com/fishing-gear-and-wildlife-injury

A selection of photos from London’s ComicCon 2015, taken on Saturday 24th. October 2015.

The Postcard

 

A Shurey's postcard, on the back of which is printed:

 

'This beautiful Series of Fine Art Post Cards

is supplied free exclusively by Shurey's

Publications, comprising "Smart Novels",

"Yes or No", and "Dainty Novels".

The publications are obtainable throughout

Great Britain, the Colonies and Foreign

Countries'.

 

The claim of world-wide availability seems somewhat misplaced - can you imagine walking into a shop in, e.g. Port Saïd or Manila in the early 1900's and asking for a copy of 'Yes or No'?

 

Does anyone out there know what the ominous-looking box is for? If so, please let us know.

 

The Card was posted in Luton on Thursday the 16th. June 1910 to:

 

Miss Boston,

Brightwell,

Morden,

Surrey.

 

The message on the divided back was as follows:

 

"The box came quite safely,

Dad fetched it on Saturday.

I should not get a pin Dear

as they are not worn now.

You are behind the times.

Leave it until you come

home, also your hat unless

you are hard up.

Dad, Mum and I went up to

the Hoo on Tuesday - we did

enjoy ourselves.

We will write a letter next

week.

Much love,

H."

 

Jack Sheppard

 

Jack Sheppard, also known as 'Honest Jack', who was born on the 4th. March 1702, was a notorious English thief and prison escapee of early 18th. century London.

 

Born into a poor family, he was apprenticed as a carpenter, but took to theft and burglary in 1723, with little more than a year of his training to complete.

 

He was arrested and imprisoned five times in 1724, but escaped four times from prison, making him a notorious public figure, and wildly popular with the poorer classes.

 

Ultimately, he was caught, convicted, and hanged at Tyburn, ending his brief criminal career after less than two years.

 

The inability of the notorious "Thief-Taker General" Jonathan Wild to control Sheppard, and injuries suffered by Wild at the hands of Sheppard's colleague Joseph "Blueskin" Blake led to Wild's downfall.

 

Sheppard was as renowned for his attempts to escape from prison as he was for his crimes. An autobiographical "Narrative", thought to have been ghostwritten by Daniel Defoe, was sold at his execution, quickly followed by popular plays.

 

The character of Macheath in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera (1728) was based on Sheppard, keeping him in the limelight for over 100 years.

 

He returned to public consciousness around 1840, when William Harrison Ainsworth wrote a novel entitled Jack Sheppard, with illustrations by George Cruikshank. The popularity of his tale, and the fear that others would be drawn to emulate his behaviour, led the authorities to refuse to license any plays in London with "Jack Sheppard" in the title for forty years.

 

Jack Sheppard - The Early Years

 

Sheppard was born in White's Row, in London's Spitalfields. He was baptised on the 5th. March, the day after he was born, at St Dunstan's, Stepney, suggesting a fear of infant mortality by his parents, perhaps because the newborn was weak or sickly.

 

His parents named him after an older brother, John, who had died before his birth. In life however, he was better known as Jack, or even "Gentleman Jack" or "Jack the Lad".

 

Jack had a second brother, Thomas, and a younger sister, Mary. Their father, a carpenter, died while Sheppard was young, and his sister died two years later.

 

Unable to support her family without her husband's income, Jack's mother sent him to Mr Garrett's School, a workhouse near St Helen's Bishopsgate, when he was six years old.

 

Jack was sent out as a parish apprentice to a cane-chair maker, taking a settlement of 20 shillings, but his new master soon died. He was sent out to a second cane-chair maker, but Sheppard was treated badly.

 

Finally, when Sheppard was 10, he went to work as a shop-boy for a wool draper who had a shop on the Strand. The draper was called William Kneebone. (... the origin of 'The knee bone's connected to the thigh bone'? ... Maybe not ...)

 

Sheppard's mother had been working for Kneebone since her husband's death. Kneebone taught Sheppard to read and write, and apprenticed him to a carpenter appropriately named Owen Wood, in Wych Street, off Drury Lane in Covent Garden. Sheppard signed his seven-year indenture on the 2nd. April 1717.

 

By 1722, Jack Sheppard was showing great promise as a carpenter. Aged 20, he was a small man, only 5'4" (1.63 m) and lightly built, but deceptively strong. He had a pale face with large, dark eyes, a wide mouth and a quick smile. Despite a slight stutter, his wit made him popular in the taverns of Drury Lane. He served five unblemished years of his apprenticeship, but then began to be led into crime.

 

Jack Sheppard's Criminal Career

 

Joseph Hayne, a button-moulder who owned a shop nearby, also ran a tavern named the Black Lion off Drury Lane, which he encouraged the local apprentices to frequent.

 

The Black Lion was visited by criminals such as Joseph "Blueskin" Blake, Sheppard's future partner in crime, and self-proclaimed "Thief-Taker General" Jonathan Wild, secretly the linchpin of a criminal empire across London and later Sheppard's implacable enemy.

 

According to Sheppard's autobiography, he had been an innocent until going to Hayne's tavern, but there began an attachment to strong drink and the affections of Elizabeth Lyon, a prostitute also known as Edgeworth Bess from her place of birth at Edgeworth in Middlesex.

 

In his History, Defoe records that:

 

"Bess was a main lodestone

in attracting of him up to this

Eminence of Guilt."

 

Such, Sheppard claimed, was the source of his later ruin. Peter Linebaugh offers a more romantic view:

 

"Sheppard's sudden transformation

was a liberation from the dull drudgery

of indentured labour.

He progressed from pious servitude to

self-confident rebellion and levelling."

 

Jack Sheppard threw himself into a hedonistic whirl of drinking and whoring. Inevitably, his carpentry suffered, and he became disobedient to his master.

 

With Edgeworth Bess's encouragement, Sheppard took to crime in order to augment his legitimate wages. His first recorded theft was in Spring 1723, when he engaged in petty shoplifting, stealing two silver spoons while on an errand for his master to the Rummer Tavern in Charing Cross.

 

Sheppard's misdeeds initially went undetected, and he moved on to larger crimes, often stealing goods from the houses where he was working.

 

Finally, he quit the employ of his master on the 2nd. August 1723, with less than two years of his apprenticeship left, although he continued to work as a journeyman carpenter. He progressed to burglary, falling in with criminals in Jonathan Wild's gang.

 

He moved to Fulham, living as husband and wife with Edgeworth Bess at Parsons Green, before moving to Piccadilly. When Bess was arrested and imprisoned at St. Giles's Roundhouse, the beadle, a Mr Brown, refused to let Sheppard visit, so he broke in and took her away.

 

Two Arrests and Two Escapes

 

Sheppard was first arrested after a burglary he committed with his brother, Tom, and his mistress, Bess, in Clare Market on the 5th. February 1724.

 

Tom, also a carpenter, had already been convicted once for stealing tools from his master the previous autumn and burned in the hand. Tom was arrested again on the 24th. April 1724. Afraid that he would be hanged this time, Tom informed on Jack, and a warrant was issued for Jack's arrest.

 

Jonathan Wild was aware of Sheppard's thefts, as Sheppard had fenced some stolen goods through one of Wild's men, William Field.

 

Wild asked another of his men, James Sykes (known as "Hell and Fury") to challenge Sheppard to a game of skittles at Redgate's public house near Seven Dials. Sykes betrayed Sheppard to a Mr Price, a constable from the parish of St. Giles, to gather the usual £40 reward for giving information leading to the conviction of a felon.

 

The magistrate, Justice Parry, had Sheppard imprisoned overnight on the top floor of St Giles's Roundhouse pending further questioning, but Sheppard escaped within three hours by breaking through the timber ceiling and lowering himself to the ground with a rope fashioned from bedclothes.

 

Still wearing irons, Sheppard coolly joined the crowd that had been attracted by the sounds of his breaking out. He distracted their attention by pointing to the shadows on the roof and shouting that he could see the escapee, and then swiftly departed.

 

On the 19th. May 1724, Sheppard was arrested for a second time, caught in the act of picking a pocket in Leicester Fields (near present-day Leicester Square). He was detained overnight in St Ann's Roundhouse in Soho and visited there the next day by Bess; however she was recognised as his wife, and locked in a cell with him.

 

They appeared before Justice Walters, who sent them to the New Prison in Clerkenwell, but they escaped from their cell within a matter of days. By the 25th. May, they had filed through their manacles. They removed a bar from the window and used their knotted bed-clothes to descend to ground level.

 

Finding themselves in the yard of the neighbouring Bridewell, they clambered over the 22-foot-high (6.7 m) prison gate to freedom. This feat was widely publicised, not least because Sheppard was only a small man, and Bess was a large, buxom woman.

 

Jack Sheppard's Third Arrest, Trial, and Third Escape

 

Sheppard's thieving abilities were admired by Jonathan Wild, who demanded that Sheppard surrender his stolen goods for Wild to fence, and so take the greater profits, but Sheppard refused.

 

Instead Jack began to work with Joseph "Blueskin" Blake, and they burgled Sheppard's former master, William Kneebone, on the 12th. July 1724. However Wild could not permit Sheppard to continue outside his control, and began to seek Sheppard's arrest.

 

Unfortunately for Sheppard, his fence, William Field, was one of Wild's men. After Sheppard had a brief foray with Blueskin as highwaymen on the Hampstead Road on the 19th. and 20th. July, Field informed on Sheppard to Wild.

 

Wild believed that Bess would know Sheppard's whereabouts, so he plied her with drinks at a brandy shop near Temple Bar until she betrayed him. Sheppard was arrested for a third time at Blueskin's mother's brandy shop in Rosemary Lane, east of the Tower of London on the 23rd. July by Wild's henchman, Quilt Arnold.

 

Sheppard was imprisoned in Newgate Prison pending his trial at the next Assize. He was prosecuted on three charges of theft at the Old Bailey, but was acquitted on the first two due to lack of evidence.

 

Kneebone, Wild and Field gave evidence against him on the third charge, the burglary of Kneebone's house. He was convicted on the 12th. August, the case "being plainly prov'd", and sentenced to death.

 

However, on the 31st. August, the very day when the death warrant arrived from the court in Windsor setting the 4th. September as the date for his execution, Sheppard escaped.

 

Having loosened an iron bar in a window used when talking to visitors, he was visited by Bess and Poll Maggott, who distracted the guards while he removed the bar. His slight build enabled him to climb through the resulting gap in the grille, and he was smuggled out of Newgate in women's clothing that his visitors had brought him.

 

He took a coach to Blackfriars Stairs, then a boat up the River Thames to the horse ferry in Westminster, near the warehouse where he hid his stolen goods, and made good his escape.

 

Jack Sheppard's Fourth Arrest and Final Escape

 

By this point, Sheppard was a hero to a segment of the population, being a cockney, non-violent, handsome and seemingly able to escape punishment for his crimes at will.

 

He spent a few days out of London, visiting a friend's family in Chipping Warden in Northamptonshire, but was soon back in town. He evaded capture by Wild and his men, but was arrested again on the 9th. September by a posse from Newgate as he hid out on Finchley Common, and was returned to the condemned cell at Newgate.

 

Jack's fame had increased with each escape, and he was visited in prison by the great, the good and the curious. His plans to escape in September were thwarted twice when the guards found files and other tools in his cell.

 

Jack was accordingly transferred to a strong-room in Newgate known as the "Castle", clapped in leg irons, and chained to two metal staples in the floor to prevent further escape attempts.

 

After demonstrating to his gaolers that these measures were insufficient, by showing them how he could use a small nail to unlock the horse padlock at will, he was bound more tightly and handcuffed. In his History, Defoe reports that Sheppard made light of his predicament, joking that:

 

"I am the Sheppard, and all the Gaolers

in the Town are my Flock, and I cannot

stir into the Country, but they are all at

my Heels Laughing after me".

 

Meanwhile, "Blueskin" Blake was arrested by Wild and his men on the 9th. October, and Tom, Jack's brother, was transported for robbery on the 10th. October 1724.

 

New court sessions began on the 14th. October, and Blueskin was tried on the 15th. October, with Field and Wild again giving evidence. Their accounts were not consistent with the evidence that they gave at Sheppard's trial, but Blueskin was convicted anyway.

 

Enraged, Blueskin attacked Wild in the courtroom, slashing his throat with a pocket-knife and causing an uproar. Wild was lucky to survive, and his grip over his criminal empire started to slip while he recuperated.

 

Taking advantage of the disturbance, which spread to Newgate Prison next door and continued into the night, Sheppard escaped for the fourth time. He unlocked his handcuffs and removed the chains.

 

Still encumbered by his leg irons, he attempted to climb up the chimney, but his path was blocked by an iron bar set into the brickwork. He removed the bar, and used it to break through the ceiling into the "Red Room" above the "Castle", a room which had last been used some seven years before to confine aristocratic Jacobite prisoners after the Battle of Preston.

 

Still wearing his leg irons as night fell, he then broke through six barred doors into the prison chapel, then to the roof of Newgate, 60 feet (20 m) above the ground. He went back down to his cell to get a blanket, then back to the roof of the prison, and used the blanket to reach the roof of an adjacent house, owned by William Bird, a turner.

 

He broke into Bird's house, and went down the stairs and out into the street at around midnight without disturbing the occupants. Escaping through the streets to the north and west, Sheppard hid in a cowshed in Tottenham (near modern Tottenham Court Road).

 

Spotted by the cowshed's owner, Sheppard told him that he had escaped from Bridewell Prison, having been imprisoned there for failing to support a (nonexistent) bastard son. Jack's leg irons remained in place for several days until he persuaded a passing shoemaker to accept the considerable sum of 20 shillings to bring a blacksmith's tools and help him remove them, telling him the same tale.

 

His manacles and leg irons were later recovered in the rooms of Kate Cook, one of Sheppard's mistresses. This latest escape astonished everyone. Daniel Defoe, working as a journalist, wrote an account for John Applebee, The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard. In his History, Defoe reports the belief in Newgate that the Devil came in person to assist Sheppard's escape.

 

The Final Capture of Jack Sheppard

 

Sheppard's final period of liberty lasted just two weeks. He disguised himself as a beggar and returned to the city. He broke into Rawlins brothers' pawnbroker's shop in Drury Lane on the night of the 29th. October 1724, taking a black silk suit, a silver sword, rings, watches, a wig, and other items.

 

He dressed himself as a dandy gentleman, and used the proceeds to spend a day and the following evening on the tiles with two mistresses. He was arrested a final time in the early morning of the 1st. November, blind drunk:

 

"In a handsome Suit of Black, with a

Diamond Ring and a carnelian ring

on his Finger, and a fine Light Tye

Peruke".

 

This time, Sheppard was placed in the Middle Stone Room, in the centre of Newgate next to the "Castle", where he could be observed at all times. He was also loaded with 300 pounds of iron weights. He was so celebrated that the gaolers charged high society visitors four shillings to see him:

 

"The Concourse of People of tolerable

Fashion to see him was exceeding Great,

he was always Chearful and Pleasant to a

Degree, as turning almost everything as

was said onto a Jest and Banter."

 

To a Reverend Wagstaffe who visited him, he said, according to Defoe:

 

"One file's worth all the Bibles

in the World".

 

The King's painter James Thornhill painted his portrait.

 

Several prominent people sent a petition to King George I, begging for his sentence of death to be commuted to transportation.

 

Sheppard came before Mr Justice Powis in the Court of King's Bench at Westminster Hall on the 10th. November. He was offered the chance to have his sentence reduced by informing on his associates, but he scorned the offer, and the death sentence was confirmed. The next day, Blueskin was hanged, and Sheppard was moved to the condemned cell.

 

The Execution of Jack Sheppard

 

The following Monday, 16th. November, Sheppard was taken to the gallows at Tyburn to be hanged. He had planned one more escape, but his pen-knife, intended to cut the ropes binding him on the way to the gallows, was found by a prison warder shortly before he left Newgate for the last time.

 

A joyous procession passed through the streets of London, with Sheppard's cart drawn along Holborn and Oxford Street accompanied by a mounted City Marshal and liveried Javelin Men.

 

The occasion was as much as anything a celebration of Sheppard's life, attended by crowds of up to 200,000 (one third of London's population). The procession halted at the City of Oxford tavern on Oxford Street, where Sheppard drank a pint of sack.

 

A carnival atmosphere pervaded Tyburn, where his "official" autobiography, published by Applebee and probably ghostwritten by Defoe, was on sale. Sheppard handed a paper to someone as he mounted the scaffold, perhaps as a symbolic endorsement of the account in the "Narrative".

 

Jack's slight build had aided his previous prison escapes, but it condemned him to a slow death by strangulation from the hangman's noose. After hanging for the prescribed 15 minutes, his body was cut down.

 

The crowd pressed forward to stop his body from being removed, fearing dissection; their actions inadvertently prevented Sheppard's friends from implementing a plan to take his body to a doctor in an attempt to revive him. His badly mauled remains were recovered later, and buried in the churchyard of St. Martin-in-the-Fields that evening.

 

Jack Sheppard's Legacy

 

There was a spectacular public reaction to Sheppard's deeds. He was even cited (favourably) as an example in newspapers, pamphlets, broadsheets, and ballads which were all devoted to his amazing exploits, and his story was adapted for the stage almost immediately.

 

Harlequin Sheppard, a pantomime by John Thurmond (subtitled "A Night Scene in Grotesque Characters"), opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on the 28th. November, only two weeks after Sheppard's hanging.

 

In a famous contemporary sermon, a London preacher drew on Sheppard's popular escapes as a way of holding his congregation's attention:

 

"Let me exhort ye, then, to open the locks

of your hearts with the nail of repentance!

Burst asunder the fetters of your beloved

lusts! - mount the chimney of hope! - take

from thence the bar of good resolution! -

break through the stone wall of despair!"

 

The account of his life remained well-known through the Newgate Calendar, and a three-act farce was published but never produced. However when mixed with songs, it became The Quaker's Opera, later performed at Bartholomew Fair.

 

An imagined dialogue between Jack Sheppard and Julius Caesar was published in the British Journal on the 4th. December 1724, in which Sheppard favourably compares his virtues and exploits to those of Caesar.

 

The most prominent play based on Sheppard's life is John Gay's The Beggar's Opera (1728). Sheppard was the inspiration for the figure of Macheath; his nemesis, Peachum, is based on Jonathan Wild. The play was spectacularly popular, restoring the fortune that Gay had lost in the South Sea Bubble, and was produced regularly for over 100 years.

 

An unperformed but published play The Prison-Breaker was turned into The Quaker's Opera (in imitation of The Beggar's Opera) and performed at Bartholomew Fair in 1725 and 1728. Two centuries later The Beggar's Opera was the basis for The Threepenny Opera of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill (1928).

 

Sheppard's tale may have been an inspiration for William Hogarth's 1747 series of 12 engravings, Industry and Idleness. These show the descent of an apprentice, Tom Idle, into crime and eventually to the gallows, beside the rise of his fellow apprentice, Francis Goodchild. Goodchild marries his master's daughter and takes over his business, becoming wealthy as a result, eventually emulating Dick Whittington to become Lord Mayor of London.

 

A melodrama, Jack Sheppard, The Housebreaker, or London in 1724, by W. T. Moncrieff was published in 1825.

 

More successful was William Harrison Ainsworth's third novel, entitled Jack Sheppard, which was originally published in Bentley's Miscellany from January 1839 with illustrations by George Cruikshank, overlapping with the final episodes of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist.

 

An archetypal Newgate novel, it generally remains close to the facts of Sheppard's life, but portrays him as a swashbuckling hero. Like Hogarth's prints, the novel pairs the descent of the "idle" apprentice into crime with the rise of a typical melodramatic character, Thames Darrell, a foundling of aristocratic birth who defeats his evil uncle to recover his fortune.

 

Cruikshank's images perfectly complemented Ainsworth's tale - Thackeray wrote that:

 

"Mr Cruickshank really created the tale,

and Mr Ainsworth, as it were, only put

words to it."

 

The novel quickly became very popular: it was published in book form later that year, before the serialised version was completed, and even outsold early editions of Oliver Twist. Ainsworth's novel was adapted into a successful play by John Buckstone in October 1839 at the Adelphi Theatre.

 

Indeed, it seems likely that Cruikshank's illustrations were deliberately created in a form that would be easy to repeat as tableaux on stage. The play has been described as:

 

"The exemplary climax of the

pictorial novel dramatized

pictorially".

 

Jack Sheppard's story generated a form of cultural mania, embellished by pamphlets, prints, cartoons, plays and souvenirs, not repeated until George du Maurier's Trilby in 1895.

 

By early 1840, a cant song from Buckstone's play, "Nix My Dolly, Pals, Fake Away" was reported to be "deafening us in the streets". Public alarm at the possibility that young people would emulate Sheppard's behaviour led the Lord Chamberlain to ban, at least in London, the licensing of any plays with "Jack Sheppard" in the title for forty years.

 

The fear may not have been entirely unfounded: Courvousier, the valet of Lord William Russell, said in one of his several confessions that the book had inspired him to murder his master.

 

Frank and Jesse James wrote letters to the Kansas City Star signed "Jack Sheppard".

 

Burlesques of the story were written after the ban was lifted, including a popular Gaiety Theatre, London, piece called Little Jack Sheppard (1886) by Henry Pottinger Stephens and William Yardley, which starred Nellie Farren as Jack.

 

The Sheppard story has been revived three times on film in the 20th century: The Hairbreadth Escape of Jack Sheppard (1900), Jack Sheppard (1923), and Where's Jack? (1969), a British costume drama directed by James Clavell with Tommy Steele in the title role.

 

Jake Arnott features him in his 2017 novel The Fatal Tree.

 

In 1971 the British pop group Chicory Tip paid tribute to Sheppard in "Don't Hang Jack", the B-side to "I Love Onions". The song, apparently sung from the viewpoint of a witness in the courtroom, describes Jack's daring exploits as a thief, and futilely begs the judge to spare Sheppard because he was loved by the women of the town, and idolised by the lads who "made him their king."

 

In Jordy Rosenberg's 2018 novel Confessions of the Fox, a 21st-century academic discovers a manuscript containing Sheppard's "confessions", which tell the story of his childhood and his love affair with Edgeworth Bess, and make the unlikely revelation that he was a transgender man.

 

Charles Mackay in Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds wrote:

 

"Whether it be that the multitude, feeling the

pangs of poverty, sympathise with the daring

and ingenious depredators who take away

the rich man's superfluity, or whether it be the

interest that mankind in general feel for the

records of perilous adventure, it is certain that

the populace of all countries look with admiration

upon great and successful thieves."

 

A Hungarian Cloudburst

 

So what else happened on the day that the card was posted?

 

Well, on the 16th. June 1910, a cloudburst in Hungary added to existing flood waters, killing 800 people in villages in the Kronstadt district, another 180 in Temesvar and 100 in Moldava.

 

Arizona and New Mexico

 

Also on that day, the United States Senate unanimously passed a bill extending statehood to the territories of Arizona and New Mexico.

 

Admission as a state still required adopting a proposed state constitution, subject then to the approval of Congress and the President, as well as other procedures.

The memorial, in the gardens of Trinity House, on Tower Hill, London commemorates almost 12,000 mariners who have no known grave.

It was designed by Edwin Lutyens (with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick) and unveiled by Queen Mary on 12th December 1928.

(flickr photo of the memorial building)

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Local men who served in the Merchantile Marine

 

Asst. Steward Alfred Thomas Jacques (Upleadon memorial)

13.01.15 Plymouth Naval Memorial

H.M.S. "Viknor" (sunk off Northern Ireland)

Mercantile Marine Reserve

 

--------------

 

2nd Mate Anthony Clifford Hawkins (Newent memorial)

28.03.15 Tower Hill Memorial, London

S.S. Falaba (Liverpool), Merchantile Marine

 

"The Falaba of the Elder Dempster Co of Liverpool was bound for Sierra Leone via the Canary Islands when she sailed on 27 March 1915. Early afternoon on 28 March, fifty miles west of St David’s Head in southwest Wales, where St George’s Channel meets the Atlantic, the Falaba was torpedoed by U28. Of the 145 passengers and 95 crew, 104 lives were lost." Jeffery Green

 

--------------

 

Cook George F. Fowler (Maisemore memorial)

31.03.18 Buried in Whitchurch, Glamorgan

S.S. 'Excellence Pleske'

"a 2,059grt, defensively-armed British Merchant Ship at the time of her loss on the 31st March 1918. When 2½ miles SSE from Dungeness she was torpedoed without warning and sunk by submarine. 13 lives lost" (Wrecksite)

 

--------------

 

Apprentice Ronald Howard Trubshaw (Newent memorial)

06.05.18 Tower Hill memorial (London)

S.S. Sandhurst (London), Merchantile Marine

 

"On May 6th, 1918, Sandhurst, on a voyage from Bilbao to Ardrossan with a cargo of iron ore, was sunk by the German submarine UB-72 (Friedrich Träger), 6 miles NW by W 1/4 mile W of Corsewall Point, nr Stranraer, Scotland. 20 persons were lost" wrecksite

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Submarine warfare during the Great War

(link has been removed as at 17 Oct 2018)

 

"To begin with, the Allies greatly underestimated the range and destructiveness of the submarine. Confronted by slow economic strangulation and with their battleship strength at only 60% that of the British, the Germans turned to U-boat warfare in desperation, little guessing at first how close it would come to turning the tide for them.

 

When Britain declared a total blockade of Germany late in 1914, high-handedly invoking the threat of starvation should the War be prolonged, the Germans retaliated by declaring the seas around the British Isles to be a submarine warfare zone -- never mind they had only eight or nine long-range subs available at any one time to patrol Britain's western approaches."

 

-----------------

 

"At the start of the unrestricted submarine campaign in early 1917, U-boats were sinking more than 500,000 tons of shipping a month (versus 790,000 tons in total sunk between August 1914 and Sept. 1915). April 1917's monthly total topped 850,000 tons -- the wartime high."

 

"On the Atlantic, only the convoy system devised by U.S. Admiral William S. Sims and Britain's First Sea Lord Sir John Jellicoe foiled the go-for-broke U-boat offensive in the final year of the War."

(cityofart.net)

 

------------------

 

Imperial War Museum; U-Boat warfare during the First World War

(link no longer active: as at 17 Oct 2018)

 

"Admiral Jellicoe created an Admiralty Anti-Submarine Division in November 1916, but effective countermeasures arrived slowly. Most important was the introduction of convoys. In addition, merchant ships were painted in dazzle camouflage, shore-based direction finding stations and aircraft were introduced to locate U-boats, and warships acquired new weapons such as ASDIC and depth charges. On 23 April 1918, naval forces attacked U-boat bases at Ostend and Zeebrugge.

 

By the Armistice, the U-boat threat had been neutralised."

 

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The Clear Up

 

The death of one local man in 1919 brought to my attention the fact that there must have been an awful lot of unexploded ordnance around the battlefields of the war, and around our seas.

  

Leading Seaman Walter Hardman (Dymock memorial)

09.06.19 Dunfermline

HMS 'Larkspur' (RN, Acacia class minesweeper)

 

(On the 9th June 1919, 7 men from the Larkspur died - one is recorded as having been drowned. Since the ship appears to have been involved in mine clearance, perhaps an accident was related to that. I have found nothing specific about any incident.)

 

"At the end of the Great War, the Admiralty appointed an International Mine Clearance Committee on which 26 countries were represented. The Supreme War Council allotted each Power an area to clear, the largest falling to Great Britain. Some 40,000 square miles of sea needed clearing. In February 1919 a Mine Clearance Service was formed with special rates of pay and conditions of service. Members of the Service wore a specific metal cuff badge and cap tally. By the end of 1919 over 23,000 Allied and 70 German mines had been swept with the loss of half a dozen minesweepers.

 

On completion of the post-war clearance operations, the Minesweeping Division of the Admiralty was disbanded. " History of RN Minewarfare by Rob Hoole (last accessed 14 Oct 2018)

 

I was trying to find out a bit more about the minesweeping operations after the war, and discovered the large number of trawlers which seem to have mined and sunk over the period November 1918 to November 1920. The trawlers I found, and some cargo vessels, were all listed on the Tower Hill Memorial. I then went on to see what I could find about minesweepers and how many of those were sunk.

  

--------------------------

  

Ships mined during the period November 1918 to November 1920

  

15.11.18 HM Yacht Goissa mined and sunk off Dardanelles

  

16.11.18 SS De Fontaine

  

01.12.18 Steam Trawler Ethelwulf mined and sunk off the River Tyne

  

01.12.18 Steam Trawler T W Mould mined and sunk off the Tyne

  

05.12.19 HMS Cassandra (light cruiser) mined and sunk in Gulf of Finland (Russian campaign)

  

15.12.19 Steam Trawler Grecian Prince mined and sunk nr Fraserburgh

  

23.12.19 SS Gitano mined

  

04.01.19 HM Trawler Glenboyne mined and sunk off Folkestone

  

09.01.19 SS Northumbria mined and sunk in Tees Estuary

  

10.01.19 SS Calista

  

17.1.19 SS Windsor Hall

  

01.02.19 HM Drifter John Robert presumed mined and sunk off S.E. Turkey

  

04.02.19 HMS Penarth (minesweeper) mined and sunk of the Tyne

  

07.02.19 HMS Erin’s Isle (paddle minesweeper) mined and sunk in the Thames Estuary

  

15.02.19 SS San Rito

  

01.03.19 Steam Trawler Southward presumed mined and sunk during fishing trip to Faroe Isles

  

03.03.19 SS Northfield

  

13.03.19 Steam Trawler Scotland presumed mined and sunk off Flamborough Head

  

15.03.19 Steam Trawler Durban lost, possibly mined

  

22.03.19 SS Trinidad

  

05.04.19 Trawler Impulse

  

15.04.19 Fishing Vessel Emulator

  

05.05.19 HMS Cupar (minesweeper) mined and sunk off the Northumberland coast

  

07.05.19 Trawler Mistletoe (5 men killed but haven’t found an explanation – she doesn’t appear to have been sunk

  

13.05.15 HMS Curacoa (cruiser) in Baltic Sea mined but no serious damage and no casualties. (Russian campaign)

  

30.05.19 SS Hans Jost

  

04.06.19

  

16.06.19 HMS Kinross (minesweeper) mined and sunk

  

24.06.19 HMS Sword Dance mined and sunk in the Dvina River (Russian campaign)

  

28.06.19 HMS Duchess of Richmond (paddle minesweeper) mined and sunk off Dardanelles

  

08.07.19 Steam Trawler Sun Cloud

  

15.07.19 Fleet Sweeping Sloop Gentian mined and lost in Gulf of Finland (Russian campaign)

  

15.07.19 Fleet Sweeping Sloop Myrtle mined and lost in Gulf of Finland (Russian campaign)

  

29.07.19 Steam Trawler Halcyon

  

15.08.19 Steam Trawler Cyrano

  

24.08.19 Steam Trawler Fawn

  

04.09.19 HMS Verulam (destroyer) mined and sunk

  

22.09.19 Steam Trawler Helcia

  

29.09.19 Steam Trawler Balgownie

  

30.09.19 Steam Trawler Corella

  

14.11.19 Steam Trawler Theban

  

19.11.19 Steam Trawler Ocean Crest

  

20.11.19 Steam Trawler King George

  

14.12.19 Steam Trawler Isle of Man

  

01.01.20 Steam Trawler Amber

  

26.01.20 Steam Trawler Derwent

  

28.01.20 Steam Trawler Campanula

  

23.02.20 Steam Fishing Vessel Strathord

  

09.04.20 Fishing Vessel Taranaki

  

13.05.20 Steam Trawler Uvularia

  

10.06.20 SS St. Boswells

  

28.07.20 Steam Trawler Imperial Queen

  

04.09.20 Steam Trawler Jack Johnson

  

10.09.20 Steam Trawler Lindsey

  

10.09.20 Steam Trawler Bostonian

  

06.11.20 Steam Trawler Barbados

   

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   

Been lots of either grey skies or blue skies recently

Very alien looking...

Ivy certainly demonstrates her dominating habit.

Surrounded by majestic trees, Ten Putte Abbey (also known as the Saint Godelina Abbey), an abbey in Gistel, Belgium. It was built to mark the spot where, in 1070, Saint Godelina was murdered by strangulation and then thrown into a pond. Before 2007 the abbey was home to nine Benedictine nuns, who were members of the wider Subiaco Cassinese Congregation in West Flanders. Since 2007 it has been occupied by brothers and sisters of the "Mother of Peace" community. (Source: Wikipedia).

Black Mask / Magazin-Reihe

> William Campbell Gault / The Cold, Cold Ground

cover: Rafael DeSoto

Popular Publications / USA 1947

Reprint / Comic-Club NK 2010

ex libris MTP

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mask_(magazine)

Rotmilan ( Milvus milvus - auch Roter Milan - Gabelweihe oder Königsweihe - Klasse Vögel Aves - Ordnung Greifvögel Accipitriformes - Familie Habichtartige Accipitridae - Raubvogel Vogel Bird Oiseau Uccello - Tierwelt Vogelwelt Fauna ) über dem Belpmoos im Berner Mittelland im Kanton Bern der Schweiz

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Rotmilan ( Milvus milvus )

 

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S y s t e m a t i k

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- Klasse : Vögel ( Aves )

 

- Ordnung : Greifvögel ( Falconiformes )

 

- Familie : Habichtartige ( Accipitridae )

 

- Gattung : Milane ( Milvus )

 

- Art : Rotmilan

 

- Wissenschaftlicher Name : Milvus milvus - Linnaeus – 1.7.5.8

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Der Rotmilan ( Milvus milvus ), auch Roter Milan, Gabelweihe oder Königsweihe genannt, ist eine

etwa mäusebussardgroße Greifvogelart aus der Familie der Habichtartigen ( Accipitridae ).

 

Im Gegensatz zum nahe verwandten, geringfügig kleineren S.chwarzmilan, ist seine Verbreitung

im Wesentlichen auf Europa beschränkt.

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Äußere Merkmale

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.

Der Rotmilan ist eine gut bestimmbare Greifvogelart. Verwechselt werden könnte er am ehesten mit

dem S.chwarzmilan, doch sind auch zu dieser nahe verwandten Milanart gute Unterscheidungsmerk-

male gegeben.

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.

Der Rotmilan ist größer als ein M.äusebussard und etwas größer als der S.chwarzmilan; er ist aus-

gesprochen langflügelig und langschwänzig. Der sitzende Vogel wirkt rötlichbraun, wobei eine deutlich

hellere, meist ockerfarbene Federsäumung vor allem der Deckfedern des Oberflügels und des Rücken-

gefieders einen kontrastreichen Gesamteindruck vermittelt.

 

Das Kopf-, Nacken- und Kehlgefieder erwachsener Rotmilane ist sehr hell, fast weiß, und weist auf-

fallende schwarze Federnschäfte auf, die diese Körperpartien schwarz gestrichelt erscheinen lassen.

 

Der ziemlich kräftige Schnabel ist an der Basis gelb, am Schnabelhaken dunkelgrau oder schwarz.

 

Die kurzen Beine sind gelb, die Krallen ziemlich schwarz.

 

Die Iris erwachsener Vögel ist blassgelb. Das deutlich schwarz längsgestrichelte Bauchgefieder ist

etwas heller und leuchtender rötlichbraun als das Rückengefieder; ebenso gefärbt sind die Unter-

flügeldeckfedern. Die Arm- und Handschwingen sind an ihren Enden sehr dunkel, fast schwarz.

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Im Flug fallen vor allem die langen, relativ schmalen Flügel und der tief gegabelte, rostrote Schwanz

auf, der immer in Bewegung ist und auch voll gefächert eine erkennbare Kerbung aufweist.

 

In der Oberansicht kontrastieren die schwarzen Arm- und Handschwingen stark mit dem übrigen,

rötlichbraunen Gefieder. Noch kontrastreicher ist das Flugbild von unten, da die Basen der Hand-

schwingen weiß sind und so ein ausgedehntes weißes Flügelfeld bilden und im Flügelbug meist ein

schwarzes Abzeichen zu erkennen ist.

 

Die äußersten, tief gefingerten Handschwingen sind in ihrem letzten Drittel schwarz. Im Segelflug

sind die Armschwingen leicht über die Horizontale angehoben, die Handschwingen jedoch gerade

oder leicht gesenkt, was ein erkennbar geknicktes Flügelprofil ergibt.

 

Die Flügel sind in fast jeder Flugposition im Carpalgelenk deutlich gewinkelt.

 

Die Geschlechter unterscheiden sich in der Färbung nicht, auch das Jugendgefieder ähnelt stark

dem Erwachsenenkleid. Bestes, und bei sehr gutem Licht auch feldornithologisch brauchbares

Bestimmungsmerkmal juveniler Individuen, ist der mehr sandfarbene, nicht hellgrauweiße Kopf und

das eher gesprenkelt ( nicht längsgestrichelt ) wirkende, mehr blass rötlichbraune Bauchgefieder.

Bei ganz jungen flüggen Rotmilanen kann der Schwanz am äußersten Rand noch eine Rundung

aufweisen, da die äußersten Steuerfedern noch nicht ihre volle Länge erreicht haben.

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Größe und Körpermasse

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Der reverse Geschlechtsdimorphismus ist beim Rotmilan ähnlich wie beim S.chwarzmilan in Bezug

auf die Körpergröße nicht sehr deutlich, etwas ausgeprägter jedoch in Bezug auf das Körpergewicht.

 

Die schwersten M.ännchen haben ein Gewicht von 1,1 Kilogramm; im Durchschnitt liegt das Gewicht

etwas unter einem Kilogramm. Die schwersten W.eibchen wiegen 1,4 Kilogramm, das Mittel liegt bei

1,2 Kilogramm. Die Körperlänge variiert zwischen 60 und 73 Zentimeter, wovon zwischen 31 und 39

Zentimeter auf den Schwanz entfallen. Die Spannweite beträgt 150 bis 171 Zentimeter.

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Laute

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Rotmilane sind akustisch weniger auffällig als S.chwarzmilane. Vor allem außerhalb der Balzzeit und

in weiterer Entfernung vom H.orst verhalten sie sich weitgehend stumm, sieht man von Nahrungs-

streitigkeiten mit anderen Vögeln wie K.rähen, B.ussarden oder M.ilanen ab, die meist sehr lautstark

ausgetragen werden.

 

Auffälligster Ruf ist ein hohes, in der Tonfärbung stark variierendes Wiiieeh, das in verschiedensten

Situationen meist gereiht, nur selten als gedehnter Einzelruf, vorgetragen wird.

 

Das erste Element ist langgezogen, die nachfolgenden schließen sich wellenförmig und kürzer

werdend an dieses an. In Aggressionssituationen ist dieser Ruf höher, spitzer und kürzer.

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Verbreitung

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Überwinternde Rotmilane können weiträumig in Südwesteuropa, vereinzelter auch in Süd -und

Südosteuropa, in Ausnahmefällen auch in K.leinasien, angetroffen werden.Das Verbreitungsgebiet

des Rotmilans ist heute im Wesentlichen auf Zentral-, West- und Südwesteuropa beschränkt.

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Lebensraum

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Der Rotmilan ist ein Greifvogel offener, mit kleinen Gehölzen durchsetzter Landschaften. Er ist be-

deutend weniger wassergebunden als die Nominatform des S.chwarzmilans, mit dem er jedoch

häufig in enger Nachbarschaft brütet.

 

Bevorzugte Lebensräume sind A.grarlandschaften mit F.eldgehölzen, oft auch P.arklandschaften,

seltener H.eide- und M.oorgebiete, solange B.äume als N.iststandorte zur Verfügung stehen. Häufig

nutzt er die günstigen Aufwindverhältnisse in engeren F.lusstälern oder an B.erghängen.

 

Zum Jagen braucht er offenes K.ulturland, G.rasland und V.iehweiden, daneben können auch Feucht-

gebiete als Nahrungsreviere dienen. Abgeerntete oder gerade umgepflügte Getreidefelder werden

ebenso in die Nahrungssuche eingeschlossen wie A.utobahnen und M.ülldeponien, letztere aber

nicht in dem Ausmaß wie vom S.chwarzmilan.

 

Sein Verbreitungsgebiet stimmt im Wesentlichen mit den Braunerdegebieten Mittel- und Osteuropas

sowie den mediterranen Braunerde- und Terra-Rossa-Gebieten überein und liegt schwerpunktmäßig

in den Intensivzonen der mitteleuropäischen Landwirtschaft.

 

Im Allgemeinen ist der Rotmilan ein Bewohner der Niederungen und der Hügellandgebiete etwa bis

800 m ü. NN. Im Schweizer J.ura liegen einzelne Brutplätze bei fast 1200 Meter über NN; in den

P.yrenäen sind Vorkommen in der subalpinen Stufe bekannt. Historische Brutplätze im K.aukasus

und im H.ohen A.tlas lagen in Höhen von fast 2500 Metern.

 

Im M.ittelalter scheint der Rotmilan auch in einigen europäischen S.tädten, so etwa in L.ondon,

gebrütet zu haben. Er dürfte dort eine ähnliche Rolle als A.bfallvertilger gespielt haben, wie sie

heute einige Unterarten des S.chwarzmilans ( M. migrans parasitus und M. m. govinda ) in A.frika

beziehungsweise S.üd- und S.üdostasien einnehmen.

 

In günstigen Nahrungshabitaten können Rotmilane in sehr hohen Siedlungsdichten vorkommen.

Besonders dicht besiedelt war der H.akel, ein etwa 13 km² großes W.aldgebiet in der M.agdeburger

B.örde, wo 1.9.7.9 136 Rotmilanpaare brüteten. Seither gingen die Bestandszahlen dort jedoch

kontinuierlich zurück. Solche Konzentrationen von bis zu zehn Brutpaaren innerhalb eines Quadrat-

kilometers sind Ausnahmen, doch auch in der Baar sowie im E.ichsfeld kommen Rotmilane in hohen Bestandsdichten vor.

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Nahrung

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Wie der S.chwarzmilan ist auch der Rotmilan weitgehend Nahrungsgeneralist. Im Gegensatz zu

diesem ist er aber ein leistungsfähigerer, aktiver J.äger. F.isch nimmt nur ausnahmsweise eine

so dominierende Stellung ein wie bei der Nominatform des S.chwarzmilans.

 

Auch A.as und A.bfälle werden zwar regelmäßig, aber seltener als vom S.chwarzmilan aufge-

nommen. Individuell sind die Nahrungs- und Jagdgewohnheiten recht verschieden.

 

Während der B.rutzeit besteht die Hauptnahrung aus kleinen S.äugetieren und V.ögeln. Mengen-

mäßig und gewichtsmäßig überwiegen bei den S.äugetieren F.eldmäuse ( M.icrotus s.p.) und

M.aulwürfe ( T.alpidae ), bei den V.ögeln sehr auffällig der S.tar.

 

Auch verschiedene T.auben ( C.olumbidae ), R.abenvögel ( Corvidae ) und größere D.rosseln

( T.urdidae ), so etwa A.mseln ( T.urdus m.erula ), W.acholder- ( T.urdus p.ilaris ) und M.istel-

d.rosseln ( T.urdus v.iscivorus ) werden relativ häufig geschlagen.

 

Dort, wo der F.eldhamster ( C.ricetus c.ricetus ) noch vergleichsweise häufig vorkommt, zum

Beispiel in O.stpolen, kann dieser zur H.auptbeute werden. Oft handelt es sich bei geschlagenen

V.ögeln um verletzte beziehungsweise kranke Individuen oder um J.ungtiere.

 

In w.asserreichen Gebieten können F.ische, unter ihnen vor allem W.eißfische wie die P.lötze

( R.utilus r.utilus ) und der B.rachsen ( A.bramis b.rama ), gewichtsmäßig dominieren. Erbeutet

werden sowohl lebende, als auch tote oder sterbend an der Wasseroberfläche treibende oder

an den U.fersaum gespülte Fische.

 

Nicht unbeträchtlich ist die Menge an W.irbellosen, die der Rotmilan sowohl im Flug als auch auf

dem B.oden aufnimmt. Vor allem im Frühjahr können verschiedene K.äfer ( C.oleoptera ) sowie

R.egenwürmer ( L.umbricidae ) wichtige Nahrungsbestandteile sein.

 

Der Anteil an R.eptilien und A.mphibien am Gesamtnahrungsaufkommen ist regional sehr unter-

schiedlich, in südlichen Populationen in der Regel etwas größer als in Mittel- oder N.ordeuropa.

 

An A.as ist der Rotmilan etwas weniger häufig zu finden als der S.chwarzmilan, doch nutzt er

totgefahrene oder verendete Tiere ebenso wie dieser. Er ist an g.roßen K.adavern ebenso anzu-

treffen wie an den R.esten von K.leintieren. Auch an M.ülldeponien oder dort, wo große Mengen

tierischen Abfalles anfallen, wie zum Beispiel bei S.chlachthäusern oder T.ierverwertungsanlagen,

finden sich Rotmilane ein.

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Nahrungserwerb

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Der Rotmilan ist ein Suchflugjäger offener Landschaften, der große Gebiete seines Nahrungsreviers

in einem relativ niedrigen und langsamen Gleit- und Segelflug systematisch nach Beute absucht.

 

Er ist Überraschungsjäger, der bei erfolglosem Angriff in der Regel abstreicht und das verfehlte Beute-

tier nicht weiter verfolgt. Nicht selten ist er auch schreitend auf dem Boden zu sehen, wo er vor allem

nach I.nsekten und R.egenwürmern sucht.

 

Erspähte Beutetiere nimmt der Rotmilan im Darüberfliegen vom Boden auf, ohne dabei zu landen.

Auch F.ische werden nach S.eeadlerart von der W.asseroberfläche weggegriffen und davongetragen.

 

Vögel vermag er gelegentlich im Flug oder auf Ä.sten zu überraschen und zu schlagen, meistens

jedoch erbeutet er sie auf dem Boden. Die B.eutetiere werden in der Regel nicht mit den Krallen,

sondern durch kräftige Schnabelhiebe getötet.

 

Rotmilane parasitieren auch bei anderen Vögeln, vor allem bei S.chwarzmilanen, K.rähen und

M.öwen. Sie jagen ihnen die B.eute ab oder belästigen sie so lange, bis sie bereits verschluckte

Nahrung wieder auswürgen.

 

Insgesamt ist der Rotmilan in seinen Nahrungserwerbsstrategien sehr flexibel. Besonders attraktiv

sind M.äharbeiten, da diese für ihn zuvor unzugängliche Beute freilegen. Bis zu ihrem Umbruch

bieten auch abgeerntete F.elder gute Nahrungsressourcen, auf die sich Rotmilane sehr schnell

einstellen können.

 

Bei ausreichendem Nahrungsangebot und außerhalb der B.rutzeit beginnt der Rotmilan erst einige

Zeit nach S.onnenaufgang mit den ersten Beuteflügen und kann seine Jagdflüge bereits einige

Stunden vor S.onnenuntergang beenden. Während des Tages legt er, meist in Horstnähe, längere

Ruhepausen ein, die auch zur intensiven G.efiederpflege genutzt werden.

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Verhalten

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Die Aktivitätszeit ist bei gutem Beutetierangebot auffallend kurz, kann aber, insbesondere während

der B.rutzeit, schon in der frühen M.orgendämmerung beginnen und erst mit Einbruch der

D.unkelheit enden. Immer werden aber zwischen den Beuteflügen ausgiebige Ruhepausen

eingestreut, auch dann, wenn die N.estlinge in unmittelbarer Nähe energisch betteln.

 

Außerhalb der B.rutzeit ist der Rotmilan sehr gesellig und zeigt kein territoriales Verhalten. Die

Art nächtigt fast immer in größeren Schlafgesellschaften, auch die Jagdflüge erfolgen gemein-

schaftlich.

 

Diese Schlafgesellschaften können mehrere hundert Individuen umfassen. Häufig kann in diesen

Milanansammlungen „spielerisches“ Verhalten wie gegenseitiges Necken sowie synchrone Flug-

spiele einiger Vögel beobachtet werden. Gelegentlich brechen Rotmilane im Flug Koniferenzapfen

ab, um sie einfach nur fallen zu lassen.

 

Auch während der B.rutzeit ist territoriales Verhalten nicht sehr ausgeprägt, doch wird die weitere Umgebung des Horstes ( etwa 100 Meter ) und der darüberliegende Luftraum gegenüber Artge-

nossen und artfremden Eindringlingen von beiden Partnern verteidigt.

 

Dabei steigen die Milane hoch auf und attackieren den Eindringling ziemlich energisch von oben.

Meist wird er auch, vor allem vom M.ännchen, eine gewisse Zeit verfolgt, während das W.eibchen

recht schnell zum H.orst zurückkehrt.

 

Ein Nahrungsrevier beansprucht der Rotmilan in der Regel nicht, nur bei sehr geringer Nahrungsver-

fügbarkeit zeigen einzelbrütende P.aare auch diesbezüglich territoriales Verhalten. Gelegentlich

wurde auch bei sehr großen Populationsdichten, wie sie zum Beispiel im H.akel bestanden oder

in einigen Gegenden W.ales bestehen, territoriale Verhaltensweisen bezüglich der Jagdflächen

festgestellt.

 

Rot- und S.chwarzmilane können sehr nahe beieinander brüten. Bei Streitigkeiten um einen

günstigen N.istplatz oder einen bereits errichteten H.orst ist in der Regel der Rotmilan der

Unterlegene.

.

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Wanderungen

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.

.

Die Zugstrategien dieser Art sind uneinheitlich. Insgesamt wird in den letzten beiden Jahrzehnten

eine Verkürzung der Z.ugwege und ein vermehrtes Ausharren der Art in zuvor winters geräumten

B.rutgebieten festgestellt. Schneeärmere W.inter, sowie ein größeres, allzeit verfügbares Nahrungs-

angebot auf M.üllkippen und entlang stark frequentierter S.traßen, ermöglichen es auch vielen

mittel- und einigen n.ordeuropäischen Populationen während des W.inters im Brutgebiet auszu-

harren.

 

Die größten W.interbestände gibt es in Mittel- und Nordeuropa im nördlichen Harzvorland, in der

Schweiz ( zum Beispiel bei N.eerach ), in B.aden – W.ürttemberg sowie in S.üdschweden. In

einigen Ü.berwinterungsgebieten in der Schweiz und in S.üdschweden wurden ( und werden )

die Überwinterer durch Zufütterungen unterstützt. In B.aden – W.ürttemberg ging die Anzahl der

überwinternden Rotmilane mit der Schließung einiger M.ülldeponien kontinuierlich zurück.

 

Die Mehrheit der nord- und mitteleuropäischen Rotmilane verlässt im H.erbst das Brutgebiet und

zieht nach S.üdwesten, insbesondere nach S.panien. Brutvögel des südwestlichen Mitteleuropas,

I.taliens, F.rankreichs und S.paniens, sowie die wenigen Rotmilane Südosteuropas und N.ordafrikas

sind mehrheitlich Standvögel mit unterschiedlich weiträumigen Nahrungsflügen innerhalb ihres

Ü.berwinterungsgebietes. In S.panien decken sich die Überwinterungsregionen mit den Brutgebieten

der dort residenten Rotmilane. Sie liegen vor allem in der N.ord- und S.üdmeseta, im E.brobecken,

in der E.xtremadura, sowie in Teilen S.üdandalusiens.

 

Rotmilane ziehen bei Tag und meistens einzeln oder in kleinen Trupps. Auf dem Wegzug sind die

Zuggemeinschaften in der Regel individuenstärker als auf dem Heimzug. Auf Grund der relativ

kurzen Zugdistanzen verlassen Rotmilane erst spät das Brutgebiet, selten vor M.itte S.eptember,

die meisten aber erst in der ersten O.ktoberhälfte. Die Weibchen ziehen etwa eine bis zwei Wochen

vor den Männchen fort. Sehr früh erfolgt der H.eimzug. Schon in der Februarmitte erscheinen die

ersten ziehenden Rotmilane wieder im Brutgebiet, die Mehrheit folgt Ende F.ebruar und in der ersten

M.ärzdekade. Ein Großteil der einjährigen und viele zweijährige Rotmilane ziehen auf ihren ersten

Heimzügen nicht ins Brutgebiet zurück, sondern verbringen den Sommer entweder im Überwinter-

ungsgebiet oder vagabundieren in kleineren Gesellschaften in S.üd- und M.ittelfrankreich, zum Teil

auch in der Schweiz.

.

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Brutbiologie

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.

.

Rotmilane werden in Ausnahmefällen bereits in ihrem ersten Lebensjahr fortpflanzungsfähig, brüten

aber meist erst im dritten Lebensjahr zum ersten Mal.

 

Die Art und Dauer der Paarbindung ist unterschiedlich. Weitgehend monogame Brutsaisonehen

sind die Regel, doch wurden mehrjährige Dauerehen ebenso beobachtet wie Partnerwechsel

während der B.rutzeit.

 

Bei Standvögeln scheint die Paarbindung stabiler zu sein als bei Zugvögeln, bei denen auch die

durch das Zuggeschehen höheren Ausfallraten zu häufigerem Partnerwechsel zwingen. Die Art ist

sehr brutortstreu.

 

Auch geschlechtsreife Jungvögel versuchen sich meist in der näheren Umgebung ihres Geburts-

ortes anzusiedeln, auch dann, wenn in weiterem Umkreis geeignete Brutplätze zur Verfügung

stünden. Das führt nach Walz in dichtbesiedelten Rotmilanhabitaten mangels geeigneter Brut-

plätze zu einer Erhöhung des Bruteintrittsalters.

 

Bei in M.ittel- und O.steuropa überwinternden Vögeln wurde Balzverhalten während der gesamten

Ü.berwinterungszeit festgestellt. M.ännchen und W.eibchen können bis zu zwölf Tage ( in Aus-

nahmefällen bis zu vier Wochen ) zeitlich versetzt im Brutgebiet ankommen. Sowohl das W.eibchen

als auch das M.ännchen kann zuerst eintreffen. Ebenso treffen aber einige bereits lose verpaart im

Brutgebiet ein. Dort beginnen die Standvögel bereits Mitte bis Ende F.ebruar mit der Hauptbalz, die

Zugvögel im Durchschnitt etwa zwei bis drei Wochen später.

.

.

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Horstbau und Balz

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.

.

.

Die Balz des Rotmilans ist nicht sehr auffällig. Im Wesentlichen besteht sie aus Horstbau, gemein-

samen Flügen über dem H.orststandort und häufigen K.opulationen, die bis in die Nestlingszeit

hinein anhalten.

 

Zur Kopulation fordert das W.eibchen mit leisen Trillerrufen, waagrecht geduckter Körperhaltung

und gesenktem Kopf auf. Meist fliegt daraufhin das Männchen seine Partnerin direkt an und landet

auf ihrem Rücken.

 

Ob die spektakulären Steilabstürze über dem Horstrevier zum Balzritual gehören, oder nicht doch

eher der Feindabwehr zuzuordnen sind, ist ungeklärt. Bereits in der Nestbauphase stellt das

W.eibchen eigene Nahrungsflüge weitgehend ein und wird ab dieser Zeit vom M.ännchen versorgt,

bis es sich etwa zwei bis drei Wochen nach dem S.chlupf selbst wieder an der Nahrungsbeschaffung

beteiligt.

 

Der Horstbau oder die Instandsetzung eines alten Horstes beginnt sofort nach Ankunft der Partner

im Brutrevier. Horststandorte und Horstbäume sind sehr unterschiedlich, in Mitteleuropa handelt es

sich aber hauptsächlich um E.ichen, B.uchen oder K.iefern.

 

Felsbruten kommen bei den Populationen auf den B.alearen und den nordafrikanischen Rotmilanen

vor. Ganz selten wurden auch Horststandorte auf G.ittermasten festgestellt. Meist liegen die Horste

relativ hoch und in starken Bäumen, doch wurden auch sehr niedrig gelegene Nester in schwachen

Bäumen festgestellt.

 

Gerne wählen Rotmilane Nistbäume entlang steiler Abhänge oder über Felsklippen, bevorzugt in

Randlagen, oder in stark aufgelichteten Beständen. Nistunterlage ist meistens eine starke Stamm-

gabelung, seltener eine Gabelung in einem starken Seitenast.

 

Am Horstbau beteiligen sich beide Partner. Das Grundgerüst besteht aus starken Zweigen, die

vom Boden aufgelesen oder mit dem Schnabel oder den Fängen von Bäumen abgerissen werden.

Die Auspolsterung erfolgt mit unterschiedlichem, weichem, organischem Material, aber auch mit

Kulturabfällen wie F.olien, P.lastiktüten oder B.indegarn.

 

Letzteres führt nicht selten zur Strangulation eines Nestlings. Plastikmaterialien verhindern eine

ausgeglichene Luftzirkulation und können zur Durchnässung und Unterkühlung der Jungen

führen.

 

Die Größe der Rotmilanhorste ist sehr variabel. Sie können auffallend klein und recht liederlich

zusammengefügt sein mit Durchmessern zwischen nur 45 bis 60 Zentimetern. Mehrjährig benutzte

Nester sind jedoch massive Konstruktionen mit einem Durchmesser von einem Meter und mehr,

bei einer Höhe von über 40 Zentimetern.

.

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Gelege und Brut

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.

.

Das Gelege besteht meist aus drei E.iern, seltener aus einem, zwei oder vier E.iern. Es wurden

auch schon Gelege mit fünf E.iern gefunden. Die E.ier wiegen etwa 60 Gramm und messen im

Mittel 57 x 45 Millimeter.

 

Sie entsprechen in Größe und Form einem mittelgroßen H.ühnerei. Auf trübweißem Grund weisen

sie unterschiedlich stark ausgeprägte, rötlichbraune Flecken, sowie schwärzliche Girlanden auf.

Legebeginn in Mitteleuropa ist frühestens Ende M.ärz, in der Regel aber erst Anfang bis Mitte

A.pril. Bis in den M.ai hinein können frische Gelege gefunden werden. In Südeuropa ist der Lege-

beginn etwa zwei Wochen früher, in den nördlichsten Verbreitungsgebieten nicht vor Ende A.pril,

Anfang M.ai. Rotmilane brüten nur einmal im Jahr, nur bei frühem Gelegeverlust kommt es zu einem

Nachgelege, meistens in einem anderen Horst.

 

Die Eier werden etwa 32 bis 33 Tage fast ausschließlich vom W.eibchen bereits nach dem ersten

E.i fest bebrütet, so dass die J.ungen mit deutlichen Entwicklungsunterschieden aufgezogen werden.

Nur für kurze Zeit übernimmt das M.ännchen das Brutgeschäft. In den ersten zwei bis drei Wochen

bleibt das W.eibchen fast ständig am H.orst, hudert und beschattet die Nestlinge und verfüttert die

vom M.ännchen herbeigebrachte Nahrung, die vor allem aus K.leinsäugern und V.ögeln besteht.

 

Die Nestlingszeit beträgt, abhängig von Witterung und Nahrungsangebot zwischen 48 und 54 Tagen.

In Extremfällen kann das Ausfliegen erst nach 70 Tagen erfolgen. Die Führungszeit ist im Gegensatz

zu der junger S.chwarzmilane recht kurz und beträgt selten mehr als drei Wochen. Danach ver-

streichen die J.ungvögel, meist verlassen auch die A.ltvögel die unmittelbare H.orstumgebung.

.

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Mischbruten

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In freier Natur wurden gelegentlich Mischbruten zwischen Rot- und S.chwarzmilan festgestellt. Der

S.chwarzmilan war meist der w.eibliche Vogel. Auch erfolgreiche Bruten zwischen einem Schwarz-

milanmännchen und einem H.ybridweibchen wurden bekannt.

 

In Gefangenschaft kommen solche Mischbruten häufiger vor. Im N.aturpark A.ukrug in M.ittelholstein

brütete ein Mischpaar 6 Jahre hindurch erfolgreich. Nach Ausbleiben des Rotmilans trat offenbar

eine H.ybride aus einer vorangegangenen Brut an seine Stelle.

 

Regelmäßig kommt es auf den K.apverden zu Mischbruten zwischen dem heimischen K.apverde-

milan und den vor etwa hundert Jahren eingewanderten S.chwarzmilanen. Der K.apverdemilan

wird entweder als Unterart des Rotmilans ( Milvus milvus f.asciicauda ) oder als eigenständige

Art ( Milvus f.asciicauda ) aufgefasst. Aus diesen Mischbruten entstehen fruchtbare Nachkommen,

die sich weiterverpaaren. Daher ist es fraglich, ob reinerbige K.apverdemilane überhaupt noch

existieren.

.

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Bestand und Gefährdung

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.

.

Der europäische Bestand wird auf 19.000 bis 25.000 Paare geschätzt.

 

Gründe für die Bestandsrückgänge liegen vor allem in der Intensivierung, beziehungsweise Um-

stellung der L.andwirtschaft, sowie im großräumigen Verschwinden des H.amsters, der in einigen

Regionen Hauptbeutetier des Milans war.

 

Besonders negativ wirkte sich diese Entwicklung nach der Wende auf die Rotmilanbestände im Osten Deutschlands aus, wo regional Bestandseinbußen um 50 Prozent und mehr und ein deutliches Absinken der Reproduktionszahlen zu verzeichnen sind. Neben der Verschlechterung der Nahrungsverfügbarkeit durch Umstellung der Mahdtermine, Rückgang der Rinderhaltung und damit verbundener Reduzierung des Grünfutteranbaus mit regelmäßiger Mahd, spielen direkte Verfolgung durch Abschuss oder Vergiftung sowie Unfallverluste an Hochspannungsleitungen und Windkraftanlagen eine stark negative Rolle. Auch das frühzeitigere Schließen von Mülldeponien sowie vermehrte Freizeitaktivitäten in Brutgebieten der Art wirken sich bestandslimitierend aus. Ob sich die zunehmenden Schwarzmilanbestände negativ auf den in direkter Konkurrenz unterlegenen Rotmilan auswirken, ist nicht restlos geklärt.

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Lebenserwartung

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Rotmilane können sehr alt werden. Ein in Freiheit aufgefundener Rotmilan war fast dreißig Jahre alt.

Die tatsächliche Lebenserwartung freilebender Vögel ist jedoch bedeutend geringer.

 

Besonders der erste Wegzug endet für viele Rotmilane tödlich. Am Ende des ersten Lebensjahres

leben von einem Geburtsjahrgang etwa 60 – 65 Prozent. Mit wachsender Erfahrung verlangsamt

sich die Ausfallsrate, sodass nach drei Jahren noch ungefähr 35 – 45 Prozent eines Jahrganges am

Leben ist und zur Brut schreiten kann.

 

Diese Zahlen sind jedoch von vielen Faktoren abhängig, sodass sie nur als Annäherungswerte zu

sehen sind. A.bschuss, K.ollisionen mit H.indernissen und S.tromleitungen sowie Vergiftungen sind

die häufigsten Todesursachen.

.

.

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.

( BeschriebRotmilan AlbumRotmilan AlbumGreifvögelderSchweiz Schweiz Suisse Switzerland

Svizzera Suissa Swiss Sveitsi Sviss スイス Zwitserland Sveits Szwajcaria Suíça Suiza )

.

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F.lugp.latzf.est B.elpm.oost.age 2011 auf dem F.lugp.latz Bern B.elpm.oos am Sonntag den 19. Juni 2011

 

.

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Hurni110619 AlbumZZZZ110619B.elpm.oostage KantonBern

 

E - Mail : chrigu.hurni@bluemail.ch

 

******************************************************************************************************************

Letzte Aktualisierung - Ergänzung des Textes : 070223

******************************************************************************************************************

 

NIF

Unused.

 

Czech patriots often changed sides and fought for the Allies in WWI, hoping (successfully, in the event) for an independent country if Austria were to be defeated. Austrians, however, considered Czechs fighting for the Allies as committing treason and those captured were treated as such.

 

Unlike the larger type gallows with a trap door designed to break a man's neck when it was opened, death would come slowly to these unfortunates by strangulation.

The Postcard

 

A postcard bearing no publisher's name that was posted in Weymouth using a 2d. stamp on Sunday the 15th. July 1951 to:

 

Miss P. Summerfield,

9, Western Road,

Wylde Green,

Nr. Sutton Coldfield.

 

The message on the divided back of the card was as follows:

 

"7, Bradford Road,

Weymouth.

Dear Phil,

Pleased to say we are

having a nice time.

Weather is lovely so

far, hope it will keep

fine.

We are just having a

lazy time - plenty of

rest which we all needed.

Hope all are well at home.

Love from Laura."

 

The back of the card has been hand-stamped with a red ellipse containing the following:

 

'11 Mar 1973

Warning - Avoid Dealers.

Send Details to:

Postcards & Postmarks

Library Skegness.

Extra Payment Before 1911.'

 

Weymouth

 

Weymouth is a seaside town in Dorset, England, situated on a sheltered bay at the mouth of the River Wey on the English Channel coast. The town is 11 kilometres (7 mi) south of Dorchester and 8 kilometres (5 mi) north of the Isle of Portland. The town's population in 2011 was 52,300.

 

Weymouth is a tourist resort, and its economy depends on its harbour and visitor attractions; the town is a gateway situated halfway along the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site on the Dorset and east Devon coast, important for its geology and landforms.

 

Weymouth Harbour has provided a berth for cross-channel ferries, and is home to pleasure boats and private yachts, and nearby Portland Harbour is home to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, where the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games were held.

 

The history of the borough stretches back to the 12th century; including involvement in the spread of the Black Death, the settlement of the Americas, the development of Georgian architecture, and a major departure point for the Normandy Landings.

 

The Weymouth Clock Tower

 

Weymouth's Jubilee Clock Tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's 50 years of reign in 1887. The tower was paid for by public subscription, with £100 having been collected during celebrations on Her Majesty's Jubilee day of the 21st. June 1887.

 

The Jubilee Committee then approached the Council with the idea for the clock tower, which was readily accepted. As fundraising did not amount to enough to provide the clock itself, Sir Henry Edwards donated one, while the gas company agreed to keep the clock illuminated for free in perpetuity. Weymouth Corporation provided the stone base.

 

The cast and wrought-iron clock tower was unveiled on the 31st. October 1888. Erected on Weymouth's esplanade, it was originally set in front of the Esplanade and jutted out onto the sands of Weymouth Beach.

 

In the 1920's, the clock was set back from the beach as the esplanade was extended around it to protect the beach from the encroachment of shingle from the eastern end. The clock tower was also painted in bright colours during the same decade. It is Grade II listed.

 

John Straffen

 

So what else happened on the day that Laura posted the card?

 

Well, on the 15th. July 1951, John Straffen murdered a child.

 

John Thomas Straffen, who was born on the 27th. February 1930, was a British serial killer who was the longest-serving prisoner in British history.

 

After killing two young girls in the summer of 1951, he was found unfit to plead at trial, and was committed to Broadmoor Hospital. During a brief escape in 1952, he killed again.

 

This time, Straffen was convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. Reprieved because of his mental state, he had his sentence commuted to life imprisonment. Straffen remained in prison until his death after 55 years, 3 months, and 26 days of incarceration.

 

John Straffen - The Early Years

 

John Straffen's father, John Straffen Senior, was a soldier in the British Army. The younger Straffen was the third child in the family; his older sister was a "high grade mental defective" who died in 1952.

 

Straffen was born at Bordon Camp in Hampshire, where his father was then based. When Straffen was two years old, his father was posted abroad, and the family spent six years in India. Returning to the United Kingdom in March 1938, Straffen's father took a discharge from the Army, and the family settled in Bath, Somerset.

 

In October 1938, Straffen was referred to a child guidance clinic for stealing and truancy. In June 1939, he first came before a juvenile court for stealing a purse from a girl, and was given two years probation.

 

Straffen's probation officer found that he did not understand the difference between right and wrong, or the meaning of probation. The family was living in crowded lodgings at the time, and Straffen's mother had no time to help, so the probation officer took the boy to a psychiatrist.

 

As a result, Straffen was certified as a mental defective under the Mental Deficiency Act 1927. A report was compiled on Straffen in 1940 which assessed his I.Q. as 58, and placed his mental age at six.

 

From June 1940, the local council sent Straffen to a residential school for mentally defective children, St Joseph's School in Sambourne, Warwickshire. Two years later, he was moved to Besford Court, a senior school.

 

Straffen was observed as a solitary boy who took correction very badly. At the age of 14, he was suspected of strangling two geese. At the age of 16, the school authorities undertook a review which found his I.Q. was 64, and his mental age was nine years six months, recommending his discharge.

 

John Straffen's Criminal Career

 

Straffen returned home to Bath in March 1946, where the Medical Officer of Health examined him and found he still warranted certification under the Mental Deficiency Act. After several short-term jobs, he found a place as a machinist in a clothing factory.

 

Early in 1947, Straffen began to enter unoccupied homes and steal small items to hide them; he never took them home or gave the items to others. Straffen had no friends, and had begun stealing without being enticed by others.

 

On the 27th. July 1947, a 13-year-old girl reported to police that a boy called John had assaulted her by putting his hand over her mouth and saying:

 

"What would you do if I killed

you? I have done it before."

 

This incident was not connected to Straffen at the time. Six weeks later, Straffen was found to have strangled five chickens belonging to the father of a girl with whom he had a row.

 

When arrested, he was also under suspicion for burglary and, in his police interview, cheerfully confessed to it and to many other incidents to which he had not been connected. Straffen was remanded in custody, and the Medical Officer of HM Prison Horfield examined him, certifying that he was mentally retarded.

 

On the 10th. October 1947, Straffen was committed to Hortham Colony in Bristol under the Mental Deficiency Act 1913. Hortham was an "open" colony which specialised in training mentally disabled offenders for resettlement in the community. As Straffen had been under investigation for burglary, his certificate stated that:

 

"He is not of violent or

dangerous propensities."

 

Straffen was well-behaved at Hortham and isolated from other inmates. As a result, in July 1949 he was transferred to a lower-security agricultural hostel in Winchester. There he did well initially, but fell back into old ways when he stole a bag of walnuts and was sent back to Hortham in February 1950.

 

In August 1950, Straffen was in trouble with Hortham authorities when he went home without leave and resisted the police when they went to recapture him.

 

John Straffen's Mental Health

 

In 1951, Straffen was examined at a Bristol hospital, where electroencephalograph readings showed that:

 

"He has suffered wide and severe damage to

the cerebral cortex, probably from an attack of

encephalitis in India before the age of six."

 

By now, however, Straffen was considered sufficiently rehabilitated to be allowed a period of unescorted home leave. He used the time to gain a job at a market garden, which he was allowed to keep. Hortham licensed Straffen to the care of his mother, as the family home was less overcrowded.

 

When Straffen's 21st. birthday came, under the Mental Deficiency Act, he had to be reassessed by Hortham, which continued his certificate for a further five years. However the family disputed the assessment and appealed.

 

As a result, the Medical Officer of Health for Bath examined Straffen again on the 10th. July 1951, and found improvement in mental age to ten; he recommended that Straffen's certificate be renewed only for six months, with a view to discharge at the end.

 

Child Killings

 

According to Letitia Fairfield in the introduction to the Notable British Trials series volume about Straffen, he had a "smouldering hatred" and an "intense resentment" of the police, and blamed them for all his troubles from the age of 8.

 

On the morning of Straffen's assessment, a young girl named Christine Butcher was murdered. Fairfield speculates that Straffen saw the press coverage that followed and made the connection that strangling young girls gave the maximum amount of trouble to the police.

 

On 15 July 1951, Straffen visited the cinema unaccompanied. His route took him past 1 Camden Crescent in Bath, where 5-year-old Brenda Goddard lived with her foster parents. To see Camden Crescent, please search for the tag 36BCC32

 

According to Straffen's later statement to the police, he saw Brenda gathering flowers, and offered to show her a better place.

 

He lifted Brenda over a fence into a copse, after which she supposedly fell and hit her head on a stone. She was unconscious, and he strangled her. Straffen did not make any attempt to hide the body. Instead he simply continued to the cinema to watch the 1949 film 'Shockproof' starring Cornel Wilde before returning home.

 

In her postcard of the 15th. July 1951, Laura noted that the weather in Weymouth was very good; Bath is only 53 miles (85 kilometres) from Weymouth, and was probably also experiencing good weather. If the weather had been bad on that day, Brenda would not have been out gathering flowers, and would have survived.

 

Although Bath police had not previously suspected that Straffen was violent, he was considered a suspect in the murder, and was interviewed by police on the 3rd. August 1951. Meanwhile, the police had visited his employer to check on his movements; this resulted in Straffen being dismissed on the 31st. July.

 

In a later interview with a prison psychiatrist, Straffen said that he knew he was under suspicion, and wanted to annoy the police, because he hated them for shadowing him.

 

On the 8th. August 1951, Straffen was again at the cinema when he met 9-year-old Cicely Batstone. He first took Cicely to a different cinema to see another film, and then went on the bus to a meadow known as "Tumps" on the outskirts of Bath. There he murdered her by strangulation.

 

The circumstances of the crime produced many witnesses who had seen Straffen with the girl. The bus conductor recognised him as a former workmate, a courting couple in the meadow had seen him very closely, and a policeman's wife had also seen the two together.

 

She mentioned it to her husband; when the alarm was raised the next morning, she guided police to where she had seen the two, and Cicely's body was discovered. Her description of the man was enough to identify Straffen immediately as the suspect.

 

Arrest and Conviction

 

The police drove to Straffen's home and arrested him for the murder of Cicely on the morning of the 9th. August 1951. Straffen made a statement admitting he had killed Cicely, and also confessed to the murder of Brenda:

 

"The other girl, I did her the same."

 

He was charged with murder and remanded in custody. On the 31st. August, after a two-day hearing at Bath Magistrates' Court, a date was set for Straffen's trial for the murder of Brenda.

 

At Taunton Assize Court, on the 17th. October 1951, Straffen stood trial for murder before Mr Justice Oliver. However, the only witness to be heard was Peter Parkes, medical officer at Horfield Prison, who testified to Straffen's medical history, and stated his conclusion that Straffen was unfit to plead.

 

Oliver commented:

 

"In this country we do not try people who

are insane. You might as well try a baby in

arms. If a man cannot understand what is

going on, he cannot be tried."

 

The jury formally returned a verdict that Straffen was insane, and unfit to plead.

 

Straffen was transferred to Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire. Broadmoor had originally been termed a criminal lunatic asylum, but responsibility for it had been transferred to the Ministry of Health, and those committed to it had been renamed patients. In Broadmoor, Straffen was given a job as a cleaner.

 

Escape From Broadmoor and the Murder of Linda Bowyer

 

On the 29th. April 1952, Straffen managed to surmount Broadmoor's ten-foot wall by climbing onto the roof of a shed during a work detail. He was wearing civilian clothes under his work clothes.

 

Some hours later he killed 5-year-old Linda Bowyer, who was riding her bicycle in Farley Hill. He was captured not long after.

 

Bowyer's body was found the next morning. Police questioned Straffen before news reached the hospital, asking him whether he had committed a crime while free; he replied:

 

"I did not kill her."

 

Before police had mentioned anything about a bicycle, he further said:

 

"I did not kill the little

girl on the bicycle."

 

He was charged with the murder of Linda, and sent to HM Prison Brixton while awaiting trial, since Broadmoor had failed to hold him. A system of sirens to warn of any escape from Broadmoor was set up later in 1952.

 

When Straffen's murder trial opened on the 21st. July 1952, he pleaded not guilty, and the defence opted to leave the question of his sanity as an issue to be determined by the jury. At the request of the prosecution (led by the Solicitor-General, Sir Reginald Manningham-Buller) the judge ruled that evidence about the prior murders in Bath would be admissible.

 

That evening, one of the jurors attended a club and declared that one of the prosecution witnesses had murdered Bowyer. The next morning the judge announced that the jury would be discharged and the trial re-begun with a new jury.

 

The judge required the errant juror to remain in court throughout the trial, before calling him to apologise for:

 

"Your wicked discharge of

your duties as a citizen".

 

Straffen's defence called several of those who had seen him in earlier years to give evidence about his mental condition. The prosecution then called prison medical officers and psychiatrists to give evidence in rebuttal.

 

Dr. Thomas Munro, who was a specialist in mental deficiency and had seen Straffen, testified that Straffen had said:

 

"Murder is wrong because it is

breaking the law, and because

it is one of the commandments".

 

When Munro asked Straffen to name the other commandments, Straffen could only remember four.

 

After retiring for just under an hour, the jury returned with a verdict of guilty, which implicitly declared Straffen sane. Mr Justice Cassels sentenced Straffen to death.

 

Straffen appealed on the grounds that the evidence relating to the Bath murders was wrongly admitted, and that his statements on the morning after Linda's murder were wrongly admitted because they had been made before he was cautioned.

 

Both grounds of the appeal were dismissed, and Straffen was refused leave to appeal to the House of Lords. The date for his execution was fixed for the 4th. September 1952.

 

Reprieve and Prison

 

However, on the 29th. August, it was announced that Home Secretary David Maxwell Fyfe had recommended to the Queen that Straffen be reprieved, and this was granted.

 

After his reprieve, Straffen was moved to HM Prison Wandsworth. In November 1952, the Home Office denied a rumour that he was about to be moved to the Rampton mental institution.

 

In 1956, Straffen was moved to Horfield Prison after officers discovered an escape attempt by Wandsworth prisoners. They had intended to take Straffen with them as a diversion. The news caused extreme concern in Bristol, and a petition demanding his removal was organised by a local councillor and signed by 12,000 people within weeks.

 

While in Horfield, Straffen was described by former politician Peter Baker, briefly a fellow prisoner, as always being conspicuous when he was exercising, being much taller than anyone else, and wearing distinctive clothing for a special watch prisoner.

 

Baker recalled that:

 

"The long, emaciated, miserable figure

looked like a dying butterfly or a caged

animal."

 

Baker reported rumours that Straffen had made application to the governor each month on the chance a date had been set for his release.

 

A new 28-cell high-security wing at HM Prison Parkhurst was built and ready for opening in early 1966. The Home Office pointedly did not deny rumours that Straffen had been secretly transferred there on the 31st. January 1966.

 

In May 1968, Straffen was moved to HM Prison Durham. Placed in the top security E wing, he was joined by another child killer, Ian Brady.

 

Crime author Jonathan Goodman wrote that:

 

"The shambling lunatic [Straffen] ... is in

prison only because no mental institution

is secure enough to guarantee his

confinement."

 

Many years later, a prison officer recalled seeing Straffen:

 

"Circling, banging the fence

every couple of minutes."

 

One fellow officer described him as aloof and hostile:

 

"Never talks unless he has to ask

for something. Always on his own".

 

Sentencing Terms

 

For most of the time that Straffen was in prison, the Home Secretary was required to agree to the release of any life sentence prisoner.

 

No occupant of the office was ever willing to let Straffen out. In 1994, Michael Howard decided to compile a select list of about twenty prisoners serving life sentences who must never be released, and Straffen's name was said to be on it. The whole list was published by the News of the World in December 1997; this report confirmed that Straffen would spend the rest of his life in prison.

 

In 2001, with the fiftieth anniversary of Straffen's imprisonment approaching, his solicitors called for his case to be reopened on the grounds that he had not been fit to stand trial.

 

In May 2002, the European Court of Human Rights decided a case brought by a life sentence prisoner which challenged the authority of the Home Secretary to refuse to release him after the Parole Board recommended he be freed.

 

The court decided that politicians should not interfere in life sentences, and that therefore the current practice was unlawful. It was immediately observed that this meant an opportunity for release for Straffen, who had been in HM Prison Long Lartin since 2000.

 

Investigative journalist Bob Woffinden, who examined previously confidential records, uncovered that Straffen had been reprieved after a majority of doctors who examined him found that he was insane.

 

Woffinden also doubted Straffen's guilt in the murder of Linda, because he had no fingernails with which to cause injuries seen on her body and because some local witnesses placed the time of the murder after his recapture. However, Straffen's application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission was turned down in December 2002.

 

The Death of John Straffen

 

Straffen died at HM Prison Frankland in County Durham on the 19th. November 2007 at the age of 77. He had been in prison for a British record of 55 years, 3 months, and 26 days.

"Tiens mademoiselle l'ange qui s'enfile de la Ketel One toute la journée ! La strangulation y a qu'ça de vrai!"

The Postcard

 

A postcard bearing no publisher's name. The card was posted in Barnes, London S.W. on Saturday the 9th. May 1908 to:

 

Miss F. Carter,

32, Martin Street,

Stratford,

East London.

 

Martin Street no longer exists as a result of widespread demolition of the area. It was replaced by Meridian Square.

 

The message on the divided back of the card was as follows:

 

"Dear F,

Will be over Sunday

Stratford Station 5.30.

Arch.

Please excuse card."

 

Greta Bösel

 

So what else happened on the day that Arch posted the card?

 

Well, the 9th. May 1908 marked the unfortunate birth of Greta Bösel in Wuppertal-Elberfeld, German Empire.

 

Greta Bösel (née Mueller) was a trained nurse who became a camp guard at Ravensbrück Concentration Camp in August 1944. Her rank at the camp was Arbeitseinsatzführerin (Work Input Overseer).

 

In November 1944, Bösel was one of the staff members chosen to select prisoners for the gas chamber, or for transfer to nearby Uckermark Concentration Camp. She is known to have told another SS guard:

 

"If the prisoners cannot

work, let them rot."

 

After the death march of prisoners out of Ravensbrück following the impending liberation by the Red Army of Soviet troops, Bösel fled the camp with her husband. She was later caught and arrested by British troops.

 

The Trial and Execution of Greta Bösel

 

Bösel, along with other female guards including Dorothea Binz, stood accused of war crimes at the first Ravensbrück Trial, which took place between December 1946 and February 1947 in Hamburg, Germany.

 

The court found her guilty of maltreatment, murder and taking part in the "selections".

 

Bösel was executed by hanging for her crimes at 9:55 am on the 3rd. May 1947, 24 minutes after Elisabeth Marschall, by Albert Pierrepoint at Hamelin Prison in Allied-occupied Germany. Bösel was 38 years of age when she died.

 

Hanging as a Means of Execution

 

The Short Drop

 

The short drop is a method of hanging in which the condemned prisoner stands on a raised support such as a stool, ladder, cart, or other vehicle, with the noose around the neck. The support is then moved away, leaving the person dangling from the rope.

 

Suspended by the neck, the weight of the body tightens the noose around the neck, effecting strangulation and death. This typically takes 10–20 minutes. This means that the prisoner can be revived before death and hung again, perhaps multiple times.

 

Before 1850, the short drop was the standard method of hanging, and it is still common in suicides and extrajudicial hangings (such as lynchings and summary executions) which do not benefit from the specialised equipment and drop-length calculation tables used in the newer methods.

 

The Pole Method

 

A short drop variant is the Austro-Hungarian "pole" method, in which the following steps take place:

 

-- The condemned is made to stand before a specialized vertical pole or pillar, approximately 3 metres (9.8 ft) in height.

-- A rope is attached around the condemned's feet and routed through a pulley at the base of the pole.

-- The condemned is hoisted to the top of the pole by means of a sling running across the chest and under the armpits.

-- A narrow-diameter noose is looped around the prisoner's neck, then secured to a hook mounted at the top of the pole.

-- The chest sling is released, and the prisoner is rapidly jerked downward by the assistant executioners via the foot rope.

-- The executioner stands on a stepped platform approximately 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) high beside the condemned, and guides the head downward with his hand simultaneous to the efforts of his assistants. In some countries the executioner would then manually dislocate the condemned's neck.

 

This method was later also adopted by the successor states, most notably by Czechoslovakia, where the pole method was used as the only type of execution from 1918 until the abolition of capital punishment in 1990.

 

Nazi war criminal Karl Hermann Frank, executed in 1946 in Prague, was among approximately 1,000 condemned people executed in this manner in Czechoslovakia.

 

The Standard Drop

 

The standard drop involves a drop of between 4 and 6 feet (1.2 and 1.8 m) and came into use from 1866, when the scientific details were published by Irish doctor Samuel Haughton. Its use rapidly spread to English-speaking countries and those with judicial systems of English origin.

 

It was considered a humane improvement on the short drop, because it was intended to be enough to break the person's neck, causing immediate unconsciousness and rapid brain death.

 

This method was used to execute condemned Nazis under United States jurisdiction after the Nuremberg Trials including Joachim von Ribbentrop and Ernst Kaltenbrunner. In the execution of Ribbentrop, historian Giles MacDonogh records that:

 

"The hangman botched the execution and the

rope throttled the former foreign minister for

20 minutes before he expired."

 

A Life magazine report on the execution merely says:

 

"The trap fell open and with a sound midway

between a rumble and a crash, Ribbentrop

disappeared. The rope quivered for a time,

then stood tautly straight."

 

The Long Drop

 

This process, also known as the measured drop, was introduced to Great Britain in 1872 by William Marwood as a scientific advance on the standard drop.

 

Instead of everyone falling the same standard distance, the person's height and weight were used to determine how much slack would be provided in the rope so that the distance dropped would be enough to ensure that the neck was broken, but not so much that the person was decapitated.

 

The careful placement of the knot of the noose (so that the head was jerked back as the rope tightened) contributed to breaking the neck.

 

Prior to 1892, the drop was between four and ten feet (about one to three metres), depending on the weight of the body, and was calculated to deliver an energy of 1,260 foot-pounds force (1,710 J), which fractured the neck at either the 2nd. and 3rd. or 4th. and 5th. cervical vertebrae.

 

This force resulted in some decapitations, such as the infamous case of Black Jack Ketchum in New Mexico Territory in 1901, owing to a significant weight gain while in custody not having been factored into the drop calculations.

 

Between 1892 and 1913, the length of the drop was shortened to avoid decapitation. After 1913, other factors were also taken into account, and the energy delivered was reduced to about 1,000 foot-pounds force (1,400 J).

 

The decapitation of Eva Dugan during a botched hanging in 1930 led the state of Arizona to switch to the gas chamber as its primary execution method, on the grounds that it was believed more humane.

 

One of the more recent decapitations as a result of the long drop occurred when Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti was hanged in Iraq in 2007. Accidental decapitation also occurred during the 1962 hanging of Arthur Lucas, one of the last two people to be put to death in Canada.

 

Nazis executed under British jurisdiction, including Josef Kramer, Fritz Klein, Irma Grese and Elisabeth Volkenrath, were hanged by Albert Pierrepoint using the variable-drop method devised by Marwood. The record speed for a British long-drop hanging was seven seconds from the executioner entering the cell to the drop. Speed was considered to be important in the British system as it reduced the condemned's mental distress.

 

Suicide by Hanging

 

Hanging is a common suicide method. The materials necessary for suicide by hanging are readily available to the average person, compared to firearms or poisons. Full suspension is not required, and for this reason, hanging is especially commonplace among suicidal prisoners.

 

A type of hanging comparable to full suspension hanging may be obtained by self-strangulation using a ligature around the neck and the partial weight of the body to tighten the ligature. When a suicidal hanging involves partial suspension the deceased is found to have both feet touching the ground, e.g., they are kneeling, crouching or standing.

 

Partial suspension is sometimes used, particularly in prisons, mental hospitals or other institutions, where full suspension support is difficult to devise, because high ligature points (e.g., hooks or pipes) have been removed.

 

In Canada, hanging is the most common method of suicide, and in the U.S., hanging is the second most common method, after self-inflicted gunshot wounds. In the United Kingdom, where firearms are less easily available, in 2001 hanging was the most common method among men, and the second most commonplace among women (after poisoning).

 

Those who survive a suicide-via-hanging, whether due to breakage of the cord, or being discovered and cut down, face a range of serious injuries, including cerebral anoxia (which can lead to permanent brain damage), laryngeal fracture, cervical spine fracture (which may cause paralysis), tracheal fracture, pharyngeal laceration, and carotid artery injury.

 

Hanging Practices Across the Globe

 

Hanging has been a method of capital punishment in many countries, and is still used by many countries to this day. Long drop hanging is mainly used by former British colonies, while short-drop and suspension hanging is common in Iran.

 

-- Afghanistan

 

Hanging is the most-used form of capital punishment in Afghanistan.

 

-- Australia

 

Capital punishment was a part of the legal system of Australia from the establishment of New South Wales as a British penal colony, until 1985, by which time all Australian states and territories had abolished the death penalty. In practice, the last execution in Australia was the hanging of Ronald Ryan on the 3rd. February 1967, in Victoria.

 

During the 19th. century, crimes that could carry a death sentence included burglary, sheep theft, forgery, sexual assaults, murder and manslaughter. During the 19th. century, roughly eighty people were hanged every year throughout the Australian colonies for these crimes.

 

-- Bangladesh

 

Hanging is the only method of execution in Bangladesh, ever since its independence.

 

-- Brazil

 

Death by hanging was the customary method of capital punishment in Brazil throughout its history. Some important national heroes like Tiradentes (1792) were killed by hanging.

 

The last man to be executed in Brazil was the slave Francisco, in 1876. The death penalty was abolished for all crimes, except for those committed under extraordinary circumstances such as war or military law, in 1890.

 

-- Bulgaria

 

Bulgaria's national hero, Vasil Levski, was executed by hanging by the Ottoman court in Sofia in 1873. Every year since Bulgaria's liberation, thousands come with flowers on the date of his death, 19th. February, to his monument where the gallows stood. The last execution was in 1989, and the death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1998.

 

-- Canada

 

Historically, hanging was the only method of execution used in Canada, and was in use as possible punishment for all murders until 1961, when murders were re-classified into capital and non-capital offences.

 

The death penalty was restricted to apply only for certain offences under the National Defence Act in 1976, and was completely abolished in 1998. The last hangings in Canada took place on the 11th. December 1962.

 

-- Egypt

 

In 1955, Egypt hanged three Israelis on charges of spying. In 1982 Egypt hanged three civilians convicted of the assassination of Anwar Sadat.

 

In 2004, Egypt hanged five militants on charges of trying to kill the Prime Minister. To this day, hanging remains the standard method of capital punishment in Egypt, which executes more people each year than any other African country.

 

-- Germany

 

In the territories occupied by Nazi Germany from 1939 to 1945, strangulation hanging was a preferred means of public execution, although more criminal executions were performed by guillotine than hanging.

 

The most commonly sentenced were partisans and black marketeers, whose bodies were usually left hanging for long periods. There are also numerous reports of concentration camp inmates being hanged.

 

Hanging was continued in post-war Germany in the British and US Occupation Zones under their jurisdiction, and for Nazi war criminals, until well after (western) Germany had abolished the death penalty. The last execution ordered by a West German court was carried out by guillotine in Moabit prison in 1949.

 

The last hanging in Germany was of several war criminals in Landsberg am Lech on the 7th. June 1951. The last known execution in East Germany was in 1981 by a pistol shot to the neck.

 

-- Hungary

 

During the 1956 Revolution, the prime minister of Hungary, Imre Nagy, was secretly tried, executed by hanging, and buried unceremoniously by the new Soviet-backed Hungarian government. Nagy was later publicly exonerated by Hungary.

 

Capital punishment was abolished for all crimes in 1990.

 

-- India

 

All executions in India since independence have been carried out by hanging, although the law provides for military executions to be carried out by firing squad.

 

In 1949, Nathuram Godse, who had been sentenced to death for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, was the first person to be executed by hanging in independent India.

 

The Supreme Court of India has suggested that capital punishment should be given only in the "rarest of rare cases".

 

Since 2001, eight people have been executed in India. Dhananjoy Chatterjee, the 1991 rapist and murderer was executed on the 14th. August 2004 in Alipore Jail, Kolkata.

 

Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the 2008 Mumbai attacks was executed on the 21st. November 2012 in Yerwada Central Jail, Pune. The Supreme Court of India had previously rejected his mercy plea, which was then rejected by the President of India. He was hanged one week later.

 

Afzal Guru, a terrorist found guilty of conspiracy in the December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament, was executed by hanging in Tihar Jail, Delhi on the 9th. February 2013.

 

Yakub Memon was convicted over his involvement in the 1993 Bombay bombings on the 27th. July 2007. His appeals and petitions for clemency were all rejected, and he was finally executed by hanging on 30 July 2015 in Nagpur jail. In March 2020, four prisoners convicted of rape and murder were executed by hanging in Tihar Jail.

 

-- Iran

 

Death by hanging is the primary means of capital punishment in Iran, which carries out one of the highest numbers of annual executions in the world. The method used is the short drop, which does not break the neck of the condemned, but rather causes a slower death due to strangulation.

 

Hanging is legally approved for murder, rape, and drug trafficking unless the criminal pays diyya to the victim's family, thus attaining their forgiveness.

 

If the presiding judge deems the case to be causing public outrage, he can order the hanging to take place in public at the spot where the crime was committed, typically from a mobile telescoping crane which hoists the condemned high into the air.

 

On the 19th. July 2005, two boys, Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni, aged 15 and 17 respectively, who had been convicted of the rape of a 13-year-old boy, were hanged at Edalat (Justice) Square in Mashhad, on charges of homosexuality and rape.

 

On the 15th. August 2004, a 16-year-old girl, Atefeh Sahaaleh was executed for having committed "acts incompatible with chastity".

 

At dawn on the 27th. July 2008, the Iranian government executed 29 people at Evin Prison in Tehran.

 

On the 2nd. December 2008, an unnamed man was hanged for murder at Kazeroun Prison, just moments after he was pardoned by the murder victim's family. He was quickly cut down and rushed to a hospital, where he was successfully revived.

 

The conviction and hanging of Reyhaneh Jabbari caused international uproar as she was sentenced to death in 2009 and hanged on the 25th. October 2014 for murdering a former intelligence officer; according to Jabbari's testimony she stabbed him during an attempt at rape and then another person killed him.

 

-- Iraq

 

Hanging was used under the regime of Saddam Hussein, but was suspended along with capital punishment on the 10th. June 2003, when a coalition led by the United States invaded and overthrew the previous regime. The death penalty was reinstated on the 8th. August 2004.

 

In September 2005, three murderers were the first people to be executed since the restoration. Then on the 9th. March 2006, the Supreme Judicial Council confirmed that the first insurgents had been executed by hanging.

 

Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death by hanging for crimes against humanity, and was executed on the 30th. December 2006 at approximately 6:00 a.m. local time. During the drop, there was an audible crack, indicating that his neck was broken, a successful example of a long-drop hanging.

 

Barzan Ibrahim, the head of the Mukhabarat, Saddam's security agency, and Awad Hamed al-Bandar, former chief judge, were executed on the 15th. January 2007, also by the long-drop method, but Barzan was decapitated by the rope at the end of his fall.

 

Former vice-president Taha Yassin Ramadan had been sentenced to life in prison, but the sentence was changed to death by hanging on the 20th. March 2007. He was the fourth and final man to be executed for the 1982 crimes against humanity. The execution went smoothly.

 

It is alleged that Iraq's government keeps the execution rate secret, and that hundreds may be carried out every year. In 2007, Amnesty International stated that 900 people were at "imminent risk" of execution in Iraq.

 

-- Israel

 

Although Israel has legal provisions for the death penalty for extraordinary crimes, it has been used only twice, and only one of those executions was by hanging. On the 31st. May 1962, Nazi leader Adolf Eichmann was executed by hanging.

 

-- Japan

 

All executions in Japan are carried out by long drop hanging.

 

On the 23rd. December 1948, seven men were hanged at Sugamo Prison by the U.S. occupation authorities in Allied-occupied Japan for war crimes during the Asian-Pacific theatre of World War II.

 

On 27 February 2004, the mastermind of the Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, Shoko Asahara, was found guilty, and sentenced to death by hanging. In 2018 Asahara and several of his cult members were hanged for committing the 1995 sarin gas attack.

 

On the 25th. December 2006, serial killer Hiroaki Hidaka and three others were hanged in Japan.

 

-- Jordan

 

Death by hanging is the traditional method of capital punishment in Jordan. On the 14th. August 1993, Jordan hanged two Jordanians convicted of spying for Israel.

 

Sajida al-Rishawi, "The 4th Bomber" of the 2005 Amman bombings, was executed by hanging alongside Ziad al-Karbouly on the 4th. February 2015 in retribution for the immolation of Jordanian pilot Muath Al-Kasasbeh.

 

-- Lebanon

 

Lebanon hanged two men in 1998 for murdering a man and his sister. However, capital punishment was altogether suspended in Lebanon, as a result of staunch opposition by activists and some political factions.

 

-- Liberia

 

On the 16th. February 1979, seven men convicted of the ritual killing of the popular singer Moses Tweh, were publicly hanged at dawn in Harper.

 

-- Malaysia

 

Hanging is the traditional method of capital punishment in Malaysia, and has been used to execute people convicted of murder and drug trafficking. The Barlow and Chambers execution was carried out as a result of new tighter drug regulations.

 

-- Portugal

 

The last person executed by hanging in Portugal was Francisco Matos Lobos on the 16th. April 1842. Before that, it had been a common death penalty.

 

-- Pakistan

 

In Pakistan, hanging is the most common form of execution.

 

-- Russia

 

Hanging was commonly practised in the Russian Empire during the rule of the Romanov Dynasty as an alternative to impalement, which was used in the 15th. and 16th. centuries.

 

Hanging was abolished in 1868 by Alexander II, but was restored by the time of his death, and his assassins were hanged. While those sentenced to death for murder were usually pardoned and sentences commuted to life imprisonment, those guilty of high treason were usually executed.

 

This also included the Grand Duchy of Finland and the Kingdom of Poland under the Russian crown. Taavetti Lukkarinen became the last Finn to be executed this way. He was hanged for espionage and high treason in 1916.

 

The hanging was usually performed by short drop in public. The gallows were usually either a stout nearby tree branch, as in the case of Lukkarinen, or a makeshift gallows constructed for the purpose.

 

After the October Revolution in 1917, capital punishment was, on paper, abolished, but continued to be used unabated against people perceived to be enemies of the regime. Under the Bolsheviks, most executions were performed by shooting, either by firing squad or by a single firearm.

 

In 1943, hanging was restored primarily for German servicemen and native collaborators for atrocities committed against Soviet POWs and civilians. The last to be hanged were Andrey Vlasov and his companions in 1946.

 

-- Singapore

 

In Singapore, long-drop hanging is currently used as a mandatory punishment for crimes such as drug trafficking, murder and some types of kidnapping. It has also been used for punishing those convicted of unauthorised discharging of firearms.

 

-- Sri Lanka

 

Hanging was abolished in Sri Lanka in 1956, but in 1959 it was brought back and later halted in 1978. In 1975, the day before the execution of Maru Sira, he had been overdosed by the prison guards to prevent him from escaping.

 

On the day of his execution he was unconscious, so when he was brought to the gallows, he was slumped over on the trapdoor with a noose around his neck, and when the executioner pulled the lever, his execution was botched and he strangled.

 

-- Syria

 

Syria has publicly hanged people, such as two Jews in 1952, Israeli spy Eli Cohen in 1965, and a number of Jews accused of spying in 1969.

 

According to a 19th.-century report, members of the Alawite sect in Syria had a particular aversion towards being hanged, and the family of the condemned was willing to pay "considerable sums" to ensure its relatives were impaled, rather than hanged.

 

This attitude was based upon the belief that the soul ought to leave the body through the mouth, rather than leave it in any other fashion.

 

-- The United Kingdom

 

As a form of judicial execution in England, hanging is thought to date from the Anglo-Saxon period. Records of the names of British hangmen begin with Thomas de Warblynton in the 1360's and continue on to the last hangmen, Robert Leslie Stewart and Harry Allen, who conducted the last British executions in 1964.

 

Until 1868, hangings were performed in public. In London, the traditional site was at Tyburn, a settlement west of the City on the main road to Oxford, which was used on eight hanging days a year, though before 1865, executions had been conducted on the street outside Newgate Prison, Old Bailey, now the site of the Central Criminal Court.

 

Three British subjects were hanged after World War II, having been convicted of helping Nazi Germany in its war against Great Britain.

 

John Amery, the son of prominent British politician Leo Amery, became an expatriate in the 1930's, moving to France. He became involved in pre-war fascist politics, remained in what became Vichy France following France's defeat by Germany in 1940, and eventually went to Germany and later the German puppet state in Italy headed by Benito Mussolini.

 

Captured by Italian partisans at the end of the war and handed over to British authorities, Amery was accused of having made propaganda broadcasts for the Nazis, and of having attempted to recruit British prisoners of war for a Waffen SS regiment later known as the British Free Corps.

 

Amery pleaded guilty to treason charges on the 28th. November 1945, and was hanged at Wandsworth Prison on the 19th. December 1945.

 

William Joyce, an American-born Irishman who had lived in Great Britain and possessed a British passport, had been involved in pre-war fascist politics in the UK, fled to Nazi Germany just before the war and became a naturalised German citizen.

 

Joyce made propaganda broadcasts for the Nazis, becoming infamous under the nickname Lord Haw Haw. Captured by British forces in May 1945, he was tried for treason later that year. Although Joyce's defence argued that he was by birth American, and thus not subject to being tried for treason, the prosecution successfully argued that Joyce's pre-war British passport meant that he was a subject of the British Crown, and he was convicted.

 

After his appeals failed, he was hanged at Wandsworth Prison on the 3rd. January 1946.

 

Theodore Schurch was a British soldier captured by the Nazis who then began working for the Italian and German intelligence services by acting as a spy and informer when he was placed among other British prisoners. Schurch was arrested in Rome in March 1945 and tried under the Treachery Act 1940. After his conviction, he was hanged at HM Prison Pentonville on the 4th. January 1946.

 

The Homicide Act 1957 created the new offence of capital murder, punishable by death, with all other murders being punishable by life imprisonment.

 

In 1965, Parliament passed the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act, temporarily abolishing capital punishment for murder for five years. The Act was renewed in 1969, making the abolition permanent.

 

Following the complete abolition of the death penalty, the gallows were removed from Wandsworth Prison, where they remained in full working order until that year.

 

The last woman to be hanged in the UK was Ruth Ellis on the 13th. July 1955, by Albert Pierrepoint who was a prominent hangman in the 20th. century in England.

 

The last hanging in Great Britain took place in 1964, when Peter Anthony Allen, at Walton Prison in Liverpool, and Gwynne Owen Evans, at Strangeways Prison in Manchester were executed for the murder of John Alan West.

 

Hanging was also the method used in many British colonies and overseas territories. During Queen Elizabeth I's reign, the following was written concerning those who stole a ship from the Royal Navy:

 

"If anye one practysed to steale awaye anye of

her Majesty's shippes, the captaine was to cause

him to be hanged by the heels untill his braines

were beaten out against the shippe's sides, and

then to be cutt down and lett fall intoe the sea."

 

-- The United States

 

The hangman's noose was one of the various punishments the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony applied to enforce religious and intellectual conformity on the whole community. The best known hanging carried out by the Puritans was of Mary Dyer; she was one of the four executed Quakers known as the Boston martyrs.

 

Capital punishment in the U.S. varies from state to state; it is outlawed in some states but used in most others. However, the death penalty under federal law is applicable in every state. Hanging is no longer used as a method of execution.

 

When Black pastor Denmark Vesey of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church was suspected of plotting to launch a slave rebellion in Charleston, South Carolina in 1822, 35 people, including Vesey, were judged guilty by a city-appointed court and were subsequently hanged, and the church was burned down.

 

The largest mass execution in the United States, of 38 Sioux Indians sentenced to death after being charged of massacring white settlers, was carried out by hanging in Mankato, Minnesota in 1862.

 

Originally, 303 had been sentenced to hang, but the convictions were reviewed by President Abraham Lincoln and the sentences of all but 38 were commuted.

 

A total of 40 suspected Unionists were hanged in Gainesville, Texas in October 1862.

 

On the 7th. July 1865, four people involved in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln—Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold, and George Atzerodt—were hanged at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C.

 

Hanging was a popular method of lynching, for example the 1920 Duluth, Minnesota lynchings. The hangings became public spectacles for the white community to celebrate what they regarded as white supremacy.

 

While rope was most commonly used for hanging, chains had also been used (mainly during the colonial era), the first being a slave after the New York Slave Revolt of 1712. The last hanging in chains was in 1913, of John Marshall in West Virginia for murder.

 

The last public hanging in the United States (not including lynching, one of the last of which was Michael Donald in 1981) took place on the 14th. August 1936, in Owensboro, Kentucky.

 

Rainey Bethea was executed for the rape and murder of 70-year-old Lischa Edwards. The execution was presided over by the first female sheriff in Kentucky, Florence Shoemaker Thompson.

 

In California, Clinton Duffy, who served as warden of San Quentin State Prison between 1940 and 1952, presided over ninety executions. He began to oppose the death penalty, and after his retirement, wrote a memoir entitled 'Eighty-Eight Men and Two Women' in support of the movement to abolish the death penalty.

 

The book documents several hangings gone wrong, and describes how they led his predecessor, Warden James B. Holohan, to persuade the California Legislature to replace hanging with the gas chamber in 1937.

 

Various methods of capital punishment have been replaced by lethal injection in most states. Many states that offered hanging as an option have since eliminated the method.

 

Condemned murderer Victor Feguer became the last inmate to be executed by hanging in the state of Iowa on the 15th. March 1963. Hanging was the preferred method of execution for capital murder cases in Iowa until 1965, when the death penalty was abolished and replaced with life imprisonment without parole.

 

Barton Kay Kirkham was the last person to be hanged in Utah, preferring it over execution by firing squad. No subsequent inmate in Utah had been hanged by the time the option was replaced with lethal injection in 1980.

 

Laws in Delaware were changed in 1986 to specify lethal injection, except for those convicted before 1986 (who were still allowed to choose hanging). If a choice was not made, or the convict refused to choose injection, then hanging would become the default method. This was the case in the 1996 execution of Billy Bailey, the most recent hanging in American history; since then, no Delaware prisoner fit the category, and the state's gallows were later dismantled.

 

The "Upright Jerker" is a method of hanging that originated in the United States in the late 19th. century, where the person to be hanged is jerked into the air by weights and pulleys. However it proved to be ineffective at breaking the neck of the condemned, and use of the method ceased in late 1930's.

A wee taster from my day on my wifes, Louise shoot with the wonderful Miel with MUA James Clark.

 

It was such a great shoot that we wrung her neck and left her in the woods so no-one else could work with her and get better shots than us ;-)

This imposing warehouse is used for the storage of evidence from Chicago & Cook County crimes, including those of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, Jr.

Among the grisly artifacts stored here are the door to Gacy's crawlspace where he buried nearly 30 young men and boys, personal items of his victims, a ligature Gacy used for strangulation, and samples of Gacy's blood.

 

Located at 2323 S. Rockwell St.

This is one of my biggest pet peeves.

 

This was a VERY windy road on the way to Sedona and this poor dog was being tossed back and forth the whole way. :(

 

I believe in education, not just complaining, so I have a flyer that I have printed off that I keep in my car glove box to give to people who have dogs in their trucks when I can. If anyone wants it to print off for themselves, email me and I will send it to you! I have one for people who leave dogs in hot, parked cars too, if you want that one.

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I cant remember where I got this article:

 

Why Dogs and Pickup Trucks Don't Mix

 

Dogs who are riding in the back of pick up trucks may look like they're having fun. But when you transport your dog in the back of your pick up, you endanger both your dog and other motorists. This practice is not only dangerous, but it is illegal in many states.

 

If your truck hits a bump or swerves to avoid an obstacle or if you step on the brakes suddenly, a dog riding in the truck bed can easily be thrown on to the road or into the hard surface of the pickup bed sides. If being hurled on to the street or into solid metal does not kill or injure your dog, being struck by another vehicle probably will. And, in not trying to hit a fallen dog, another driver may cause an accident. In fact, motorists have been killed trying to avoid a dog thrown from a truck.

 

It is believed that hundreds if not thousands of dogs die this way each year.

 

Your dog isn't necessarily safe even if he/she does manage to stay in the back of the truck. A few dogs do love the feeling of wind blowing past their ears at 60 mph, but that wind can seriously irritate mucous membranes and blow pieces of grit or bugs into the animal's eye. (Have you ever had a bug hit your arm as you dangled it out the window? You know how much force such a small object can have!) It may require veterinary attention to remove the foreign material, which could cause permanent damage, including blindness, to the eye. Debris may also lodge in the nasal passages or get sucked up into the windpipe.

 

In addition, the hot metal of the bed or dark bed coverings can burn dogs' feet.

 

Tying your dog into the truck bed is not a safe option; ropes and leashes become nooses when a dog is jolted into the air and another great number of dogs die from strangulation from jumping out of the truck bed while tied.

 

A survey conducted in 1988 by the Massachusetts Society for the Protection of Animals found that 141 veterinarians in that state had treated 592 dogs who had been ejected from truckbeds in that year alone!

Riding in a truck bed can be very frightening for a dog. It's hard to feel secure when you can't keep your footing and bounce or slide all over the truck! Take your dog along for the ride, but let her ride secured in the front with you. She will enjoy the trip a lot more if she doesn't have to fight for her life against gravity, momentum, and traffic to get there. You may also secure your dog using a special dog harness, (not a collar that can become a noose) or secure a dog crate so that it can't slide around or tip over.

Remember to be alert for high or very low temperatures. Dogs riding in the hot sun without shade may suffer from heatstroke. Dark dogs suffer the worst. The inside temperature of a plastic crate can rise very quickly. Dogs should never be left in open pick up trucks with metal or rubber liners. There is a great risk of heat or cold injury because they get very hot, or very cold. Be sure the dog is provided shade in the summer if the vehicle is parked. (Be careful what you use - several studies have indicated that covering the bed of the pick-up with a tarpaulin or shell may expose dogs or other passengers to potentially lethal carbon monoxide poisoning.) Don’t forget to offer water regularly!

 

Another very important factor: Many dog bites occur yearly from dogs in the back of pick up trucks. The owner is likely to be liable for any and all injuries sustained in such attacks!

 

There are other simple things that you can do to keep your dog safe if it is necessary to take him/her on a trip. For instance, be sure that your dog is never left unattended-even for a few minutes. Contact your local pet supply store to locate a harness or crate that is appropriate for your dog. The trip will be more enjoyable for both of you if you make sure your dog will be safe and sound on arrival.

 

Q:Dear Physics Man,

 

My question is why did my dog fall out of my Dads truck when he went around a corner really fast?

Please answer this for me. Thank-you Pysics Man.

Billy , Age 7, Oak Grove School, Decatur, Illinios

 

A: Dear Billy,

Your unfortunate dog discovered (the hard way) something that Isaac Newton wrote down a few hundred years ago in his "First Law", which says that something moving in a straight line with a constant speed wants to keep doing this, and the only way to change this is for a force to push on it.

 

As your truck drove along the road (with your dog in the back) your dog was moving in a straight line just like the truck. When your dad turned the steering wheel, there was a force between the road and the wheels on your truck that made the truck turn the corner. In order for the dog to turn the corner also, there needed to be a force acting on him. (This is the same force you feel when you sit in the truck as it turns...the seat pushes at you in the same direction that the truck turns.) If the back of the truck is slippery, then there wont be enough force on the dog to make him turn the corner, and he will fall off.

 

You will experience the same thing if you are sitting inside the truck and the seat is slippery. If your dad turns to the left, you will feel like sliding toward the right side of the seat. Really, this is just your body trying to keep going in a straight line as your truck it turning left underneath it.

 

www.dogguide.net/blog/2009/02/maryland-kills-bill-that-ba...

Fashion Victims series

Death never looked so good.

 

Case #3 - The Pearl Strangulation

 

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Inspired by Quentin Tarantino, David Lachapelle & Miles Aldridge.

Under my custody

 

Nothing happens by chance. Neither life, nor death, nor vocation. JOHN GABRIEL PERBOYRE was born in Montgesty, near Cahors, in southern France, on 6 January 1802 into a family which gave three missionaries of St. Vincent and two Daughters of Charity to the Church. Such an environment exuded faith, simple and healthy values, and the sense of life as gift.

  

The one who "calls by name" seemed to ignore him as a teenager. The call came to his younger brother Louis for entrance into the seminary. John Gabriel was asked to accompany his younger brother for a time, while waiting for him to get adjusted to the surroundings. John Gabriel's presence at the seminary, then, happened by chance and he should have left quickly. But chance revealed to the astonished eyes of the young man unexpected horizons: that in the seminary he had found his path.

  

The Church of France had at that time just emerged from the throes of the French Revolution with the red-colored garments of martyrdom for some, and with the pain of the apostasy of many. The panorama at the beginning of the 1800's was desolate: buildings destroyed, convents sacked, people without pastors. Thus, it was no accident that the ideal of the priesthood appeared to the young man not as a feeble arrangement for life, but as the destiny of heroes.

  

His parents, surprised, accepted the choice of their son and accompanied him with their encouragement. Not by chance, his paternal uncle Jacques was a missionary of St. Vincent. This explains why in 1818 the missionary ideal matured in the young John Gabriel. At that time, the missions meant principally China. But China was a faraway mirage. To leave meant never to find again the home milieu, taste its flavors, enjoy its affections. It was natural for him to choose the Congregation of the Mission founded by St. Vincent de Paul in 1625 for the evangelization of the poor, the formation of the clergy, but above all to push those very missionaries toward holiness. The mission is not propaganda. The Church has always demanded that the proclaimers of the Word be spiritual persons, mortified, full of God and charity. In order to illuminate the darkness in people, a lamp is not sufficient if there is no oil.

  

John Gabriel did not think in half-measures. If he was a martyr it is because he was a saint.

  

From 1818 to 1835 he was a missionary in his own country. First, in his formation period, he was a model novice and student. After his priestly ordination (1826), he was charged with the formation of seminarians.

  

The missionary attraction

  

A new factor, certainly not haphazard, modified John Gabriel's life. The protagonist was once again his brother Louis. He also had entered the Congregation of the Mission and had asked to be sent to China where the sons of St. Vincent had had a new martyr in the person of Blessed Francis Regis Clet (18 February 1820). During the voyage, however, the young Louis, only 24 years of age, was called to the mission in heaven.

  

All that the young man had hoped for and done would have been useless if John Gabriel had not made the request to replace his brother in the breach.

  

John Gabriel reached China in August of 1835. At that time the Occident knew almost nothing about the Celestial Empire, and the ignorance was reciprocal. The two worlds felt a mutual attraction, but dialogue was difficult. In the countries of Europe one did not speak of a Chinese civilization, but only of superstitions, of "ridiculous" ceremonies and customs. The judgments were thus prejudices. China's appreciation of Europe and Christianity was not any better.

  

There was a dark gap between the two civilizations. Someone had to cross it in order to take on himself the evil of many, and to consume it with the fires of charity.

  

After getting acclimated in Macau, John Gabriel began the long trip in a Chinese junk, on foot, and on horseback, which brought him after eight months to Nanyang in Henan, where the obligation to learn the language imposed itself.

  

After five months, he was able to express himself, though with some trouble, in good Chinese, and at once threw himself into the ministry, visiting the small Christian communities. Then he was transferred to Hubei, which is part of the region of lakes formed by the Yangtze kiang (blue river). Even though he maintained an intense apostolate, he suffered much in body and spirit. In a letter he wrote: "No, I am no more of a wonder man here in China than I was in France ... ask of him first of all for my conversion and my sanctification and then the grace that I do not spoil his work too much..." (Letter 94). For one who looks at things from the outside, it was inconceivable that such a missionary should find himself in a dark night of the soul. But the Holy Spirit was preparing him in the emptiness of humility and the silence of God for the supreme testimony.

  

In chains for Christ

  

Unexpectedly in 1839 two events, apparently unrelated, clouded the horizon. The first was the renewed outbreak of persecution which flowed from the decree of the Manchurian emperor, Quinlong (1736-1795), which had proscribed the Christian religion in 1794.

  

The second was the outbreak of the Chinese-British War, better known as the "Opium War" (1839-1842). The closure of the Chinese frontier and the pretence of the Chinese government to require an act of dependence from the foreign ambassadors had created an explosive situation. The spark came from the confiscation of loads of opium stowed in the port of Canton; this action harmed the merchants, most of whom were English. The British flotilla intervened, and the war began.

  

The missionaries, obviously interested only in the first event dealing with the persecution of Christians, were always on their guard. As often happens, too many alarms diminished the vigilance. And that is what happened on 15 September 1839 at Cha-yuen-ken, where Perboyre lived. On that day he was with two other European missionaries, his confrere, Baldus, and a Franciscan, Rizzolati, and a Chinese missionary, Fr. Wang. They were informed of the approach of a column of about one hundred soldiers. The missionaries underestimated the information. Perhaps the soldiers were going elsewhere. Instead of being wary, the missionaries continued enjoying a fraternal conversation. When there was no longer any doubt about the direction of the soldiers, it was late. Baldus and Rizzolati decided to flee far away. Perboyre hid himself in the surroundings because the nearby mountains were rich with bamboo forests and hidden caves. As Fr. Baldus has attested for us, however, the soldiers used threats to force a catechumen to reveal the place where the missionary was hiding. The catechumen was a weak person, but not a Judas.

  

Thus began the sad Calvary of John Gabriel. The prisoner had no rights, he was not protected by laws, but was at the mercy of the jailers and judges. Given that he was arrested it was presumed that he was guilty, and if guilty, he would be punished.

  

A series of trials began. The first was held at Kou-Ching-Hien. The replies of the martyr were heroic:

  

Are you a Christian priest?

Yes, I am a priest and I preach this religion.

Do you wish to renounce your faith?

No, I will never renounce the faith of Christ.

They asked him to reveal his companions in the faith and the reasons for which he had transgressed the laws of China. They wanted, in short, to make the victim the culprit. But a witness to Christ is not an informer. Therefore, he remained silent.

  

The prisoner was then transferred to Siang-Yang. The cross examinations were made close together. He was held for a number of hours kneeling on rusty iron chains, was hung by his thumbs and hair from a rafter (the hangtze torture), was beaten several times with bamboo canes. Greater than the physical violence, however, remained the wound of the fact that the values in which he believed were put to ridicule: the hope in eternal life, the sacraments, the faith.

  

The third trial was held in Wuchang. He was brought before four different tribunals and subjected to 20 interrogations. To the questioning were united tortures and the most cruel mockery. They prosecuted the missionary and abused the man. They obliged Christians to abjure, and one of them even to spit on and strike the missionary who had brought him to the faith. For not trampling on the crucifix, John Gabriel received 110 strokes of pantse.

  

Among the various accusations, the most terrible was the accusation that he had had immoral relations with a Chinese girl, Anna Kao, who had made a vow of virginity. The martyr defended himself. She was neither his lover nor his servant. The woman is respected not scorned in Christianity, was the sense of John Gabriel's reply. But he remained upset because they made innocents suffer for him.

  

During one interrogation he was obliged to put on Mass vestments. They wanted to accuse him of using the privilege of the priesthood for private interests. But the missionary, clothed in the priestly garments, impressed the bystanders, and two Christians drew near to him to ask for absolution. The cruelest judge was the Viceroy. The missionary was by this time a shadow. The rage of this unscrupulous magistrate was vented on a ghost of a man. Blinded by his omnipotence the Viceroy wanted confessions, admissions, and accusations against others. But if the body was weak, the soul was reinforced. His hope by now rested in his meeting God, which he felt nearer each day.

  

When John Gabriel told him for the last time: "I would sooner die than deny my faith!," the judge pronounced his sentence. John Gabriel Perboyre was to die by strangulation.

  

With Christ priest and victim

  

Then began a period of waiting for the imperial confirmation. Perhaps John Gabriel could hope in the clemency of the sovereign. But the war with the English erased any possible gesture of good-will. Thus, on 11 September 1840, an imperial envoy arrived at full speed, bearing the decree confirming the condemnation.

  

With seven criminals the missionary was led up a height called the "Red Mountain." As the criminals were killed first, Perboyre reflected in prayer, to the wonderment of the bystanders.

  

When his turn came, the executioners stripped him of the purple tunic and tied him to a post in the form of a cross. They passed a rope around his neck and strangled him. It was the sixth hour. Like Jesus, John Gabriel became like a grain of wheat. He died, or better was born into heaven, in order to make fall on the earth the dew of God's blessing.

  

Many circumstances surrounding his last year of life (the betrayal, the arrest, the death on a cross, its day and hour), are similar to the Passion of Christ. In reality, all his life was that of a witness and a faithful disciple of Christ. St. Ignatius of Antioch wrote: "I look for him who died for us; I yearn for him who rose for us. Behold, the moment is near in which I will be brought forth! Have compassion on me, brothers! Do not prevent me from being born to life!"

  

John Gabriel "was born to life" on 11 September 1840, because he always had sought "him who died for us." His body was brought back to France, but his heart remained in his adopted homeland, the land of China. There he gave his witness to the sons and daughters of St. Vincent who also wait to be born to heaven after a life spent for the gospel and for the poor.

The artwork is by Mitchell Hooks.

youtu.be/zXMpFzCLic8 Trailer

 

Starring Christopher Lee, Nigel Green, Howard Marion-Crawford, Tsai Chin, Joachim Fuchsberger, Karin Dor, James Robertson Justice, and Eric Young. Directed by Don Sharp.

In this drama, the devilish Chinese villain has concocted a deadly gas. He tries it out in a small English town and is delighted to discover that it is terribly effective. He then travels to the Thames with his daughter. There he has an explosive encounter with the hero who stops the evil plot.

Grisly strangulations in London alert Nayland Smith of Scotland Yard to the possibility that fiendish Fu Manchu may not after all be dead, even though Smith witnessed his execution. A killer spray made from Tibetan berries seems to be involved and clues keep leading back to the Thames.

 

In the early 18th century, architect Nicholas Dyer is progressing work on several churches in London's East End. He is, however, involved in Satanic practices (something inculcated in him as an orphan), a fact which he must keep secret from all his associates, including his supervisor Sir Christopher Wren. This is all the more challenging since he indulges in human sacrifice as part of the construction of the buildings. Dyer's simmering contempt for Wren is brought closest to the surface in discussions they have concerning rationalism versus Dyer's own carefully disguised brand of mysticism.

 

In the 20th century, DCS Nicholas Hawksmoor is called in to investigate a bizarre series of murders by strangulation that have occurred in and around the churches designed by Dyer. The murders are all the more mystifying since the murderer appeared to have left no identifying traces, not even fingerprints on the victims' necks.

 

However the area is stalked by mysterious shadows, and it becomes clear that not only the weight of the investigation, but unseen forces from the past come to bear on Hawksmoor in a powerful, destructive manner.

Rotmilan ( Milvus milvus - Greifvögel Habichtartige Greifvogel Raubvogel Vogel bird oiseau uccello ) über dem Belpmoos im Berner Mittelland im Kanton Bern der Schweiz

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Rotmilan ( Milvus milvus )

 

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S y s t e m a t i k

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- Klasse : Vögel ( Aves )

 

- Ordnung : Greifvögel ( Falconiformes )

 

- Familie : Habichtartige ( Accipitridae )

 

- Gattung : Milane ( Milvus )

 

- Art : Rotmilan

 

- Wissenschaftlicher Name : Milvus milvus - Linnaeus – 1.7.5.8

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Der Rotmilan ( Milvus milvus ), auch Roter Milan, Gabelweihe oder Königsweihe genannt, ist eine

etwa mäusebussardgroße Greifvogelart aus der Familie der Habichtartigen ( Accipitridae ).

 

Im Gegensatz zum nahe verwandten, geringfügig kleineren S.chwarzmilan, ist seine Verbreitung

im Wesentlichen auf Europa beschränkt.

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Äußere Merkmale

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Der Rotmilan ist eine gut bestimmbare Greifvogelart. Verwechselt werden könnte er am ehesten mit

dem S.chwarzmilan, doch sind auch zu dieser nahe verwandten Milanart gute Unterscheidungsmerk-

male gegeben.

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Der Rotmilan ist größer als ein M.äusebussard und etwas größer als der S.chwarzmilan; er ist aus-

gesprochen langflügelig und langschwänzig. Der sitzende Vogel wirkt rötlichbraun, wobei eine deutlich

hellere, meist ockerfarbene Federsäumung vor allem der Deckfedern des Oberflügels und des Rücken-

gefieders einen kontrastreichen Gesamteindruck vermittelt.

 

Das Kopf-, Nacken- und Kehlgefieder erwachsener Rotmilane ist sehr hell, fast weiß, und weist auf-

fallende schwarze Federnschäfte auf, die diese Körperpartien schwarz gestrichelt erscheinen lassen.

 

Der ziemlich kräftige Schnabel ist an der Basis gelb, am Schnabelhaken dunkelgrau oder schwarz.

 

Die kurzen Beine sind gelb, die Krallen ziemlich schwarz.

 

Die Iris erwachsener Vögel ist blassgelb. Das deutlich schwarz längsgestrichelte Bauchgefieder ist

etwas heller und leuchtender rötlichbraun als das Rückengefieder; ebenso gefärbt sind die Unter-

flügeldeckfedern. Die Arm- und Handschwingen sind an ihren Enden sehr dunkel, fast schwarz.

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Im Flug fallen vor allem die langen, relativ schmalen Flügel und der tief gegabelte, rostrote Schwanz

auf, der immer in Bewegung ist und auch voll gefächert eine erkennbare Kerbung aufweist.

 

In der Oberansicht kontrastieren die schwarzen Arm- und Handschwingen stark mit dem übrigen,

rötlichbraunen Gefieder. Noch kontrastreicher ist das Flugbild von unten, da die Basen der Hand-

schwingen weiß sind und so ein ausgedehntes weißes Flügelfeld bilden und im Flügelbug meist ein

schwarzes Abzeichen zu erkennen ist.

 

Die äußersten, tief gefingerten Handschwingen sind in ihrem letzten Drittel schwarz. Im Segelflug

sind die Armschwingen leicht über die Horizontale angehoben, die Handschwingen jedoch gerade

oder leicht gesenkt, was ein erkennbar geknicktes Flügelprofil ergibt.

 

Die Flügel sind in fast jeder Flugposition im Carpalgelenk deutlich gewinkelt.

 

Die Geschlechter unterscheiden sich in der Färbung nicht, auch das Jugendgefieder ähnelt stark

dem Erwachsenenkleid. Bestes, und bei sehr gutem Licht auch feldornithologisch brauchbares

Bestimmungsmerkmal juveniler Individuen, ist der mehr sandfarbene, nicht hellgrauweiße Kopf und

das eher gesprenkelt ( nicht längsgestrichelt ) wirkende, mehr blass rötlichbraune Bauchgefieder.

Bei ganz jungen flüggen Rotmilanen kann der Schwanz am äußersten Rand noch eine Rundung

aufweisen, da die äußersten Steuerfedern noch nicht ihre volle Länge erreicht haben.

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Größe und Körpermasse

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Der reverse Geschlechtsdimorphismus ist beim Rotmilan ähnlich wie beim S.chwarzmilan in Bezug

auf die Körpergröße nicht sehr deutlich, etwas ausgeprägter jedoch in Bezug auf das Körpergewicht.

 

Die schwersten M.ännchen haben ein Gewicht von 1,1 Kilogramm; im Durchschnitt liegt das Gewicht

etwas unter einem Kilogramm. Die schwersten W.eibchen wiegen 1,4 Kilogramm, das Mittel liegt bei

1,2 Kilogramm. Die Körperlänge variiert zwischen 60 und 73 Zentimeter, wovon zwischen 31 und 39

Zentimeter auf den Schwanz entfallen. Die Spannweite beträgt 150 bis 171 Zentimeter.

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Laute

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Rotmilane sind akustisch weniger auffällig als S.chwarzmilane. Vor allem außerhalb der Balzzeit und

in weiterer Entfernung vom H.orst verhalten sie sich weitgehend stumm, sieht man von Nahrungs-

streitigkeiten mit anderen Vögeln wie K.rähen, B.ussarden oder M.ilanen ab, die meist sehr lautstark

ausgetragen werden.

 

Auffälligster Ruf ist ein hohes, in der Tonfärbung stark variierendes Wiiieeh, das in verschiedensten

Situationen meist gereiht, nur selten als gedehnter Einzelruf, vorgetragen wird.

 

Das erste Element ist langgezogen, die nachfolgenden schließen sich wellenförmig und kürzer

werdend an dieses an. In Aggressionssituationen ist dieser Ruf höher, spitzer und kürzer.

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Verbreitung

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Überwinternde Rotmilane können weiträumig in Südwesteuropa, vereinzelter auch in Süd -und

Südosteuropa, in Ausnahmefällen auch in K.leinasien, angetroffen werden.Das Verbreitungsgebiet

des Rotmilans ist heute im Wesentlichen auf Zentral-, West- und Südwesteuropa beschränkt.

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Lebensraum

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Der Rotmilan ist ein Greifvogel offener, mit kleinen Gehölzen durchsetzter Landschaften. Er ist be-

deutend weniger wassergebunden als die Nominatform des S.chwarzmilans, mit dem er jedoch

häufig in enger Nachbarschaft brütet.

 

Bevorzugte Lebensräume sind A.grarlandschaften mit F.eldgehölzen, oft auch P.arklandschaften,

seltener H.eide- und M.oorgebiete, solange B.äume als N.iststandorte zur Verfügung stehen. Häufig

nutzt er die günstigen Aufwindverhältnisse in engeren F.lusstälern oder an B.erghängen.

 

Zum Jagen braucht er offenes K.ulturland, G.rasland und V.iehweiden, daneben können auch Feucht-

gebiete als Nahrungsreviere dienen. Abgeerntete oder gerade umgepflügte Getreidefelder werden

ebenso in die Nahrungssuche eingeschlossen wie A.utobahnen und M.ülldeponien, letztere aber

nicht in dem Ausmaß wie vom S.chwarzmilan.

 

Sein Verbreitungsgebiet stimmt im Wesentlichen mit den Braunerdegebieten Mittel- und Osteuropas

sowie den mediterranen Braunerde- und Terra-Rossa-Gebieten überein und liegt schwerpunktmäßig

in den Intensivzonen der mitteleuropäischen Landwirtschaft.

 

Im Allgemeinen ist der Rotmilan ein Bewohner der Niederungen und der Hügellandgebiete etwa bis

800 m ü. NN. Im Schweizer J.ura liegen einzelne Brutplätze bei fast 1200 Meter über NN; in den

P.yrenäen sind Vorkommen in der subalpinen Stufe bekannt. Historische Brutplätze im K.aukasus

und im H.ohen A.tlas lagen in Höhen von fast 2500 Metern.

 

Im M.ittelalter scheint der Rotmilan auch in einigen europäischen S.tädten, so etwa in L.ondon,

gebrütet zu haben. Er dürfte dort eine ähnliche Rolle als A.bfallvertilger gespielt haben, wie sie

heute einige Unterarten des S.chwarzmilans ( M. migrans parasitus und M. m. govinda ) in A.frika

beziehungsweise S.üd- und S.üdostasien einnehmen.

 

In günstigen Nahrungshabitaten können Rotmilane in sehr hohen Siedlungsdichten vorkommen.

Besonders dicht besiedelt war der H.akel, ein etwa 13 km² großes W.aldgebiet in der M.agdeburger

B.örde, wo 1.9.7.9 136 Rotmilanpaare brüteten. Seither gingen die Bestandszahlen dort jedoch

kontinuierlich zurück. Solche Konzentrationen von bis zu zehn Brutpaaren innerhalb eines Quadrat-

kilometers sind Ausnahmen, doch auch in der Baar sowie im E.ichsfeld kommen Rotmilane in hohen Bestandsdichten vor.

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Nahrung

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Wie der S.chwarzmilan ist auch der Rotmilan weitgehend Nahrungsgeneralist. Im Gegensatz zu

diesem ist er aber ein leistungsfähigerer, aktiver J.äger. F.isch nimmt nur ausnahmsweise eine

so dominierende Stellung ein wie bei der Nominatform des S.chwarzmilans.

 

Auch A.as und A.bfälle werden zwar regelmäßig, aber seltener als vom S.chwarzmilan aufge-

nommen. Individuell sind die Nahrungs- und Jagdgewohnheiten recht verschieden.

 

Während der B.rutzeit besteht die Hauptnahrung aus kleinen S.äugetieren und V.ögeln. Mengen-

mäßig und gewichtsmäßig überwiegen bei den S.äugetieren F.eldmäuse ( M.icrotus s.p.) und

M.aulwürfe ( T.alpidae ), bei den V.ögeln sehr auffällig der S.tar.

 

Auch verschiedene T.auben ( C.olumbidae ), R.abenvögel ( Corvidae ) und größere D.rosseln

( T.urdidae ), so etwa A.mseln ( T.urdus m.erula ), W.acholder- ( T.urdus p.ilaris ) und M.istel-

d.rosseln ( T.urdus v.iscivorus ) werden relativ häufig geschlagen.

 

Dort, wo der F.eldhamster ( C.ricetus c.ricetus ) noch vergleichsweise häufig vorkommt, zum

Beispiel in O.stpolen, kann dieser zur H.auptbeute werden. Oft handelt es sich bei geschlagenen

V.ögeln um verletzte beziehungsweise kranke Individuen oder um J.ungtiere.

 

In w.asserreichen Gebieten können F.ische, unter ihnen vor allem W.eißfische wie die P.lötze

( R.utilus r.utilus ) und der B.rachsen ( A.bramis b.rama ), gewichtsmäßig dominieren. Erbeutet

werden sowohl lebende, als auch tote oder sterbend an der Wasseroberfläche treibende oder

an den U.fersaum gespülte Fische.

 

Nicht unbeträchtlich ist die Menge an W.irbellosen, die der Rotmilan sowohl im Flug als auch auf

dem B.oden aufnimmt. Vor allem im Frühjahr können verschiedene K.äfer ( C.oleoptera ) sowie

R.egenwürmer ( L.umbricidae ) wichtige Nahrungsbestandteile sein.

 

Der Anteil an R.eptilien und A.mphibien am Gesamtnahrungsaufkommen ist regional sehr unter-

schiedlich, in südlichen Populationen in der Regel etwas größer als in Mittel- oder N.ordeuropa.

 

An A.as ist der Rotmilan etwas weniger häufig zu finden als der S.chwarzmilan, doch nutzt er

totgefahrene oder verendete Tiere ebenso wie dieser. Er ist an g.roßen K.adavern ebenso anzu-

treffen wie an den R.esten von K.leintieren. Auch an M.ülldeponien oder dort, wo große Mengen

tierischen Abfalles anfallen, wie zum Beispiel bei S.chlachthäusern oder T.ierverwertungsanlagen,

finden sich Rotmilane ein.

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Nahrungserwerb

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Der Rotmilan ist ein Suchflugjäger offener Landschaften, der große Gebiete seines Nahrungsreviers

in einem relativ niedrigen und langsamen Gleit- und Segelflug systematisch nach Beute absucht.

 

Er ist Überraschungsjäger, der bei erfolglosem Angriff in der Regel abstreicht und das verfehlte Beute-

tier nicht weiter verfolgt. Nicht selten ist er auch schreitend auf dem Boden zu sehen, wo er vor allem

nach I.nsekten und R.egenwürmern sucht.

 

Erspähte Beutetiere nimmt der Rotmilan im Darüberfliegen vom Boden auf, ohne dabei zu landen.

Auch F.ische werden nach S.eeadlerart von der W.asseroberfläche weggegriffen und davongetragen.

 

Vögel vermag er gelegentlich im Flug oder auf Ä.sten zu überraschen und zu schlagen, meistens

jedoch erbeutet er sie auf dem Boden. Die B.eutetiere werden in der Regel nicht mit den Krallen,

sondern durch kräftige Schnabelhiebe getötet.

 

Rotmilane parasitieren auch bei anderen Vögeln, vor allem bei S.chwarzmilanen, K.rähen und

M.öwen. Sie jagen ihnen die B.eute ab oder belästigen sie so lange, bis sie bereits verschluckte

Nahrung wieder auswürgen.

 

Insgesamt ist der Rotmilan in seinen Nahrungserwerbsstrategien sehr flexibel. Besonders attraktiv

sind M.äharbeiten, da diese für ihn zuvor unzugängliche Beute freilegen. Bis zu ihrem Umbruch

bieten auch abgeerntete F.elder gute Nahrungsressourcen, auf die sich Rotmilane sehr schnell

einstellen können.

 

Bei ausreichendem Nahrungsangebot und außerhalb der B.rutzeit beginnt der Rotmilan erst einige

Zeit nach S.onnenaufgang mit den ersten Beuteflügen und kann seine Jagdflüge bereits einige

Stunden vor S.onnenuntergang beenden. Während des Tages legt er, meist in Horstnähe, längere

Ruhepausen ein, die auch zur intensiven G.efiederpflege genutzt werden.

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Verhalten

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Die Aktivitätszeit ist bei gutem Beutetierangebot auffallend kurz, kann aber, insbesondere während

der B.rutzeit, schon in der frühen M.orgendämmerung beginnen und erst mit Einbruch der

D.unkelheit enden. Immer werden aber zwischen den Beuteflügen ausgiebige Ruhepausen

eingestreut, auch dann, wenn die N.estlinge in unmittelbarer Nähe energisch betteln.

 

Außerhalb der B.rutzeit ist der Rotmilan sehr gesellig und zeigt kein territoriales Verhalten. Die

Art nächtigt fast immer in größeren Schlafgesellschaften, auch die Jagdflüge erfolgen gemein-

schaftlich.

 

Diese Schlafgesellschaften können mehrere hundert Individuen umfassen. Häufig kann in diesen

Milanansammlungen „spielerisches“ Verhalten wie gegenseitiges Necken sowie synchrone Flug-

spiele einiger Vögel beobachtet werden. Gelegentlich brechen Rotmilane im Flug Koniferenzapfen

ab, um sie einfach nur fallen zu lassen.

 

Auch während der B.rutzeit ist territoriales Verhalten nicht sehr ausgeprägt, doch wird die weitere Umgebung des Horstes ( etwa 100 Meter ) und der darüberliegende Luftraum gegenüber Artge-

nossen und artfremden Eindringlingen von beiden Partnern verteidigt.

 

Dabei steigen die Milane hoch auf und attackieren den Eindringling ziemlich energisch von oben.

Meist wird er auch, vor allem vom M.ännchen, eine gewisse Zeit verfolgt, während das W.eibchen

recht schnell zum H.orst zurückkehrt.

 

Ein Nahrungsrevier beansprucht der Rotmilan in der Regel nicht, nur bei sehr geringer Nahrungsver-

fügbarkeit zeigen einzelbrütende P.aare auch diesbezüglich territoriales Verhalten. Gelegentlich

wurde auch bei sehr großen Populationsdichten, wie sie zum Beispiel im H.akel bestanden oder

in einigen Gegenden W.ales bestehen, territoriale Verhaltensweisen bezüglich der Jagdflächen

festgestellt.

 

Rot- und S.chwarzmilane können sehr nahe beieinander brüten. Bei Streitigkeiten um einen

günstigen N.istplatz oder einen bereits errichteten H.orst ist in der Regel der Rotmilan der

Unterlegene.

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Wanderungen

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Die Zugstrategien dieser Art sind uneinheitlich. Insgesamt wird in den letzten beiden Jahrzehnten

eine Verkürzung der Z.ugwege und ein vermehrtes Ausharren der Art in zuvor winters geräumten

B.rutgebieten festgestellt. Schneeärmere W.inter, sowie ein größeres, allzeit verfügbares Nahrungs-

angebot auf M.üllkippen und entlang stark frequentierter S.traßen, ermöglichen es auch vielen

mittel- und einigen n.ordeuropäischen Populationen während des W.inters im Brutgebiet auszu-

harren.

 

Die größten W.interbestände gibt es in Mittel- und Nordeuropa im nördlichen Harzvorland, in der

Schweiz ( zum Beispiel bei N.eerach ), in B.aden – W.ürttemberg sowie in S.üdschweden. In

einigen Ü.berwinterungsgebieten in der Schweiz und in S.üdschweden wurden ( und werden )

die Überwinterer durch Zufütterungen unterstützt. In B.aden – W.ürttemberg ging die Anzahl der

überwinternden Rotmilane mit der Schließung einiger M.ülldeponien kontinuierlich zurück.

 

Die Mehrheit der nord- und mitteleuropäischen Rotmilane verlässt im H.erbst das Brutgebiet und

zieht nach S.üdwesten, insbesondere nach S.panien. Brutvögel des südwestlichen Mitteleuropas,

I.taliens, F.rankreichs und S.paniens, sowie die wenigen Rotmilane Südosteuropas und N.ordafrikas

sind mehrheitlich Standvögel mit unterschiedlich weiträumigen Nahrungsflügen innerhalb ihres

Ü.berwinterungsgebietes. In S.panien decken sich die Überwinterungsregionen mit den Brutgebieten

der dort residenten Rotmilane. Sie liegen vor allem in der N.ord- und S.üdmeseta, im E.brobecken,

in der E.xtremadura, sowie in Teilen S.üdandalusiens.

 

Rotmilane ziehen bei Tag und meistens einzeln oder in kleinen Trupps. Auf dem Wegzug sind die

Zuggemeinschaften in der Regel individuenstärker als auf dem Heimzug. Auf Grund der relativ

kurzen Zugdistanzen verlassen Rotmilane erst spät das Brutgebiet, selten vor M.itte S.eptember,

die meisten aber erst in der ersten O.ktoberhälfte. Die Weibchen ziehen etwa eine bis zwei Wochen

vor den Männchen fort. Sehr früh erfolgt der H.eimzug. Schon in der Februarmitte erscheinen die

ersten ziehenden Rotmilane wieder im Brutgebiet, die Mehrheit folgt Ende F.ebruar und in der ersten

M.ärzdekade. Ein Großteil der einjährigen und viele zweijährige Rotmilane ziehen auf ihren ersten

Heimzügen nicht ins Brutgebiet zurück, sondern verbringen den Sommer entweder im Überwinter-

ungsgebiet oder vagabundieren in kleineren Gesellschaften in S.üd- und M.ittelfrankreich, zum Teil

auch in der Schweiz.

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Brutbiologie

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Rotmilane werden in Ausnahmefällen bereits in ihrem ersten Lebensjahr fortpflanzungsfähig, brüten

aber meist erst im dritten Lebensjahr zum ersten Mal.

 

Die Art und Dauer der Paarbindung ist unterschiedlich. Weitgehend monogame Brutsaisonehen

sind die Regel, doch wurden mehrjährige Dauerehen ebenso beobachtet wie Partnerwechsel

während der B.rutzeit.

 

Bei Standvögeln scheint die Paarbindung stabiler zu sein als bei Zugvögeln, bei denen auch die

durch das Zuggeschehen höheren Ausfallraten zu häufigerem Partnerwechsel zwingen. Die Art ist

sehr brutortstreu.

 

Auch geschlechtsreife Jungvögel versuchen sich meist in der näheren Umgebung ihres Geburts-

ortes anzusiedeln, auch dann, wenn in weiterem Umkreis geeignete Brutplätze zur Verfügung

stünden. Das führt nach Walz in dichtbesiedelten Rotmilanhabitaten mangels geeigneter Brut-

plätze zu einer Erhöhung des Bruteintrittsalters.

 

Bei in M.ittel- und O.steuropa überwinternden Vögeln wurde Balzverhalten während der gesamten

Ü.berwinterungszeit festgestellt. M.ännchen und W.eibchen können bis zu zwölf Tage ( in Aus-

nahmefällen bis zu vier Wochen ) zeitlich versetzt im Brutgebiet ankommen. Sowohl das W.eibchen

als auch das M.ännchen kann zuerst eintreffen. Ebenso treffen aber einige bereits lose verpaart im

Brutgebiet ein. Dort beginnen die Standvögel bereits Mitte bis Ende F.ebruar mit der Hauptbalz, die

Zugvögel im Durchschnitt etwa zwei bis drei Wochen später.

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Horstbau und Balz

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Die Balz des Rotmilans ist nicht sehr auffällig. Im Wesentlichen besteht sie aus Horstbau, gemein-

samen Flügen über dem H.orststandort und häufigen K.opulationen, die bis in die Nestlingszeit

hinein anhalten.

 

Zur Kopulation fordert das W.eibchen mit leisen Trillerrufen, waagrecht geduckter Körperhaltung

und gesenktem Kopf auf. Meist fliegt daraufhin das Männchen seine Partnerin direkt an und landet

auf ihrem Rücken.

 

Ob die spektakulären Steilabstürze über dem Horstrevier zum Balzritual gehören, oder nicht doch

eher der Feindabwehr zuzuordnen sind, ist ungeklärt. Bereits in der Nestbauphase stellt das

W.eibchen eigene Nahrungsflüge weitgehend ein und wird ab dieser Zeit vom M.ännchen versorgt,

bis es sich etwa zwei bis drei Wochen nach dem S.chlupf selbst wieder an der Nahrungsbeschaffung

beteiligt.

 

Der Horstbau oder die Instandsetzung eines alten Horstes beginnt sofort nach Ankunft der Partner

im Brutrevier. Horststandorte und Horstbäume sind sehr unterschiedlich, in Mitteleuropa handelt es

sich aber hauptsächlich um E.ichen, B.uchen oder K.iefern.

 

Felsbruten kommen bei den Populationen auf den B.alearen und den nordafrikanischen Rotmilanen

vor. Ganz selten wurden auch Horststandorte auf G.ittermasten festgestellt. Meist liegen die Horste

relativ hoch und in starken Bäumen, doch wurden auch sehr niedrig gelegene Nester in schwachen

Bäumen festgestellt.

 

Gerne wählen Rotmilane Nistbäume entlang steiler Abhänge oder über Felsklippen, bevorzugt in

Randlagen, oder in stark aufgelichteten Beständen. Nistunterlage ist meistens eine starke Stamm-

gabelung, seltener eine Gabelung in einem starken Seitenast.

 

Am Horstbau beteiligen sich beide Partner. Das Grundgerüst besteht aus starken Zweigen, die

vom Boden aufgelesen oder mit dem Schnabel oder den Fängen von Bäumen abgerissen werden.

Die Auspolsterung erfolgt mit unterschiedlichem, weichem, organischem Material, aber auch mit

Kulturabfällen wie F.olien, P.lastiktüten oder B.indegarn.

 

Letzteres führt nicht selten zur Strangulation eines Nestlings. Plastikmaterialien verhindern eine

ausgeglichene Luftzirkulation und können zur Durchnässung und Unterkühlung der Jungen

führen.

 

Die Größe der Rotmilanhorste ist sehr variabel. Sie können auffallend klein und recht liederlich

zusammengefügt sein mit Durchmessern zwischen nur 45 bis 60 Zentimetern. Mehrjährig benutzte

Nester sind jedoch massive Konstruktionen mit einem Durchmesser von einem Meter und mehr,

bei einer Höhe von über 40 Zentimetern.

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Gelege und Brut

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Das Gelege besteht meist aus drei E.iern, seltener aus einem, zwei oder vier E.iern. Es wurden

auch schon Gelege mit fünf E.iern gefunden. Die E.ier wiegen etwa 60 Gramm und messen im

Mittel 57 x 45 Millimeter.

 

Sie entsprechen in Größe und Form einem mittelgroßen H.ühnerei. Auf trübweißem Grund weisen

sie unterschiedlich stark ausgeprägte, rötlichbraune Flecken, sowie schwärzliche Girlanden auf.

Legebeginn in Mitteleuropa ist frühestens Ende M.ärz, in der Regel aber erst Anfang bis Mitte

A.pril. Bis in den M.ai hinein können frische Gelege gefunden werden. In Südeuropa ist der Lege-

beginn etwa zwei Wochen früher, in den nördlichsten Verbreitungsgebieten nicht vor Ende A.pril,

Anfang M.ai. Rotmilane brüten nur einmal im Jahr, nur bei frühem Gelegeverlust kommt es zu einem

Nachgelege, meistens in einem anderen Horst.

 

Die Eier werden etwa 32 bis 33 Tage fast ausschließlich vom W.eibchen bereits nach dem ersten

E.i fest bebrütet, so dass die J.ungen mit deutlichen Entwicklungsunterschieden aufgezogen werden.

Nur für kurze Zeit übernimmt das M.ännchen das Brutgeschäft. In den ersten zwei bis drei Wochen

bleibt das W.eibchen fast ständig am H.orst, hudert und beschattet die Nestlinge und verfüttert die

vom M.ännchen herbeigebrachte Nahrung, die vor allem aus K.leinsäugern und V.ögeln besteht.

 

Die Nestlingszeit beträgt, abhängig von Witterung und Nahrungsangebot zwischen 48 und 54 Tagen.

In Extremfällen kann das Ausfliegen erst nach 70 Tagen erfolgen. Die Führungszeit ist im Gegensatz

zu der junger S.chwarzmilane recht kurz und beträgt selten mehr als drei Wochen. Danach ver-

streichen die J.ungvögel, meist verlassen auch die A.ltvögel die unmittelbare H.orstumgebung.

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Mischbruten

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In freier Natur wurden gelegentlich Mischbruten zwischen Rot- und S.chwarzmilan festgestellt. Der

S.chwarzmilan war meist der w.eibliche Vogel. Auch erfolgreiche Bruten zwischen einem Schwarz-

milanmännchen und einem H.ybridweibchen wurden bekannt.

 

In Gefangenschaft kommen solche Mischbruten häufiger vor. Im N.aturpark A.ukrug in M.ittelholstein

brütete ein Mischpaar 6 Jahre hindurch erfolgreich. Nach Ausbleiben des Rotmilans trat offenbar

eine H.ybride aus einer vorangegangenen Brut an seine Stelle.

 

Regelmäßig kommt es auf den K.apverden zu Mischbruten zwischen dem heimischen K.apverde-

milan und den vor etwa hundert Jahren eingewanderten S.chwarzmilanen. Der K.apverdemilan

wird entweder als Unterart des Rotmilans ( Milvus milvus f.asciicauda ) oder als eigenständige

Art ( Milvus f.asciicauda ) aufgefasst. Aus diesen Mischbruten entstehen fruchtbare Nachkommen,

die sich weiterverpaaren. Daher ist es fraglich, ob reinerbige K.apverdemilane überhaupt noch

existieren.

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Bestand und Gefährdung

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Der europäische Bestand wird auf 19.000 bis 25.000 Paare geschätzt.

 

Gründe für die Bestandsrückgänge liegen vor allem in der Intensivierung, beziehungsweise Um-

stellung der L.andwirtschaft, sowie im großräumigen Verschwinden des H.amsters, der in einigen

Regionen Hauptbeutetier des Milans war.

 

Besonders negativ wirkte sich diese Entwicklung nach der Wende auf die Rotmilanbestände im Osten Deutschlands aus, wo regional Bestandseinbußen um 50 Prozent und mehr und ein deutliches Absinken der Reproduktionszahlen zu verzeichnen sind. Neben der Verschlechterung der Nahrungsverfügbarkeit durch Umstellung der Mahdtermine, Rückgang der Rinderhaltung und damit verbundener Reduzierung des Grünfutteranbaus mit regelmäßiger Mahd, spielen direkte Verfolgung durch Abschuss oder Vergiftung sowie Unfallverluste an Hochspannungsleitungen und Windkraftanlagen eine stark negative Rolle. Auch das frühzeitigere Schließen von Mülldeponien sowie vermehrte Freizeitaktivitäten in Brutgebieten der Art wirken sich bestandslimitierend aus. Ob sich die zunehmenden Schwarzmilanbestände negativ auf den in direkter Konkurrenz unterlegenen Rotmilan auswirken, ist nicht restlos geklärt.

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Lebenserwartung

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Rotmilane können sehr alt werden. Ein in Freiheit aufgefundener Rotmilan war fast dreißig Jahre alt.

Die tatsächliche Lebenserwartung freilebender Vögel ist jedoch bedeutend geringer.

 

Besonders der erste Wegzug endet für viele Rotmilane tödlich. Am Ende des ersten Lebensjahres

leben von einem Geburtsjahrgang etwa 60 – 65 Prozent. Mit wachsender Erfahrung verlangsamt

sich die Ausfallsrate, sodass nach drei Jahren noch ungefähr 35 – 45 Prozent eines Jahrganges am

Leben ist und zur Brut schreiten kann.

 

Diese Zahlen sind jedoch von vielen Faktoren abhängig, sodass sie nur als Annäherungswerte zu

sehen sind. A.bschuss, K.ollisionen mit H.indernissen und S.tromleitungen sowie Vergiftungen sind

die häufigsten Todesursachen.

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( BeschriebRotmilan AlbumRotmilan AlbumGreifvögelderSchweiz Schweiz Suisse Switzerland

Svizzera Suissa Swiss Sveitsi Sviss スイス Zwitserland Sveits Szwajcaria Suíça Suiza )

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F.lugp.latzf.est B.elpm.oost.age 2011 auf dem F.lugp.latz Bern B.elpm.oos am Sonntag den 19. Juni 2011

 

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Hurni110619 AlbumZZZZ110619B.elpm.oostage KantonBern

 

E - Mail : chrigu.hurni@bluemail.ch

 

******************************************************************************************************************

Letzte Aktualisierung - Ergänzung des Textes : 070223

******************************************************************************************************************

 

NIF

Vogel / Bird : Milan / Rotmilan ( Milvus milvus ) im Kanton Bern in der Schweiz

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Rotmilan ( Milvus milvus )

 

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S y s t e m a t i k

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- Klasse : Vögel ( Aves )

 

- Ordnung : Greifvögel ( Falconiformes )

 

- Familie : Habichtartige ( Accipitridae )

 

- Gattung : Milane ( Milvus )

 

- Art : Rotmilan

 

- Wissenschaftlicher Name : Milvus milvus - Linnaeus – 1.7.5.8

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Der Rotmilan ( Milvus milvus ), auch Roter Milan, Gabelweihe oder Königsweihe genannt, ist eine

etwa mäusebussardgroße Greifvogelart aus der Familie der Habichtartigen ( Accipitridae ).

 

Im Gegensatz zum nahe verwandten, geringfügig kleineren S.chwarzmilan, ist seine Verbreitung

im Wesentlichen auf Europa beschränkt.

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Äußere Merkmale

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Der Rotmilan ist eine gut bestimmbare Greifvogelart. Verwechselt werden könnte er am ehesten mit

dem S.chwarzmilan, doch sind auch zu dieser nahe verwandten Milanart gute Unterscheidungsmerk-

male gegeben.

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Der Rotmilan ist größer als ein M.äusebussard und etwas größer als der S.chwarzmilan; er ist aus-

gesprochen langflügelig und langschwänzig. Der sitzende Vogel wirkt rötlichbraun, wobei eine deutlich

hellere, meist ockerfarbene Federsäumung vor allem der Deckfedern des Oberflügels und des Rücken-

gefieders einen kontrastreichen Gesamteindruck vermittelt.

 

Das Kopf-, Nacken- und Kehlgefieder erwachsener Rotmilane ist sehr hell, fast weiß, und weist auf-

fallende schwarze Federnschäfte auf, die diese Körperpartien schwarz gestrichelt erscheinen lassen.

 

Der ziemlich kräftige Schnabel ist an der Basis gelb, am Schnabelhaken dunkelgrau oder schwarz.

 

Die kurzen Beine sind gelb, die Krallen ziemlich schwarz.

 

Die Iris erwachsener Vögel ist blassgelb. Das deutlich schwarz längsgestrichelte Bauchgefieder ist

etwas heller und leuchtender rötlichbraun als das Rückengefieder; ebenso gefärbt sind die Unter-

flügeldeckfedern. Die Arm- und Handschwingen sind an ihren Enden sehr dunkel, fast schwarz.

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.

Im Flug fallen vor allem die langen, relativ schmalen Flügel und der tief gegabelte, rostrote Schwanz

auf, der immer in Bewegung ist und auch voll gefächert eine erkennbare Kerbung aufweist.

 

In der Oberansicht kontrastieren die schwarzen Arm- und Handschwingen stark mit dem übrigen,

rötlichbraunen Gefieder. Noch kontrastreicher ist das Flugbild von unten, da die Basen der Hand-

schwingen weiß sind und so ein ausgedehntes weißes Flügelfeld bilden und im Flügelbug meist ein

schwarzes Abzeichen zu erkennen ist.

 

Die äußersten, tief gefingerten Handschwingen sind in ihrem letzten Drittel schwarz. Im Segelflug

sind die Armschwingen leicht über die Horizontale angehoben, die Handschwingen jedoch gerade

oder leicht gesenkt, was ein erkennbar geknicktes Flügelprofil ergibt.

 

Die Flügel sind in fast jeder Flugposition im Carpalgelenk deutlich gewinkelt.

 

Die Geschlechter unterscheiden sich in der Färbung nicht, auch das Jugendgefieder ähnelt stark

dem Erwachsenenkleid. Bestes, und bei sehr gutem Licht auch feldornithologisch brauchbares

Bestimmungsmerkmal juveniler Individuen, ist der mehr sandfarbene, nicht hellgrauweiße Kopf und

das eher gesprenkelt ( nicht längsgestrichelt ) wirkende, mehr blass rötlichbraune Bauchgefieder.

Bei ganz jungen flüggen Rotmilanen kann der Schwanz am äußersten Rand noch eine Rundung

aufweisen, da die äußersten Steuerfedern noch nicht ihre volle Länge erreicht haben.

.

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Größe und Körpermasse

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Der reverse Geschlechtsdimorphismus ist beim Rotmilan ähnlich wie beim S.chwarzmilan in Bezug

auf die Körpergröße nicht sehr deutlich, etwas ausgeprägter jedoch in Bezug auf das Körpergewicht.

 

Die schwersten M.ännchen haben ein Gewicht von 1,1 Kilogramm; im Durchschnitt liegt das Gewicht

etwas unter einem Kilogramm. Die schwersten W.eibchen wiegen 1,4 Kilogramm, das Mittel liegt bei

1,2 Kilogramm. Die Körperlänge variiert zwischen 60 und 73 Zentimeter, wovon zwischen 31 und 39

Zentimeter auf den Schwanz entfallen. Die Spannweite beträgt 150 bis 171 Zentimeter.

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Laute

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Rotmilane sind akustisch weniger auffällig als S.chwarzmilane. Vor allem außerhalb der Balzzeit und

in weiterer Entfernung vom H.orst verhalten sie sich weitgehend stumm, sieht man von Nahrungs-

streitigkeiten mit anderen Vögeln wie K.rähen, B.ussarden oder M.ilanen ab, die meist sehr lautstark

ausgetragen werden.

 

Auffälligster Ruf ist ein hohes, in der Tonfärbung stark variierendes Wiiieeh, das in verschiedensten

Situationen meist gereiht, nur selten als gedehnter Einzelruf, vorgetragen wird.

 

Das erste Element ist langgezogen, die nachfolgenden schließen sich wellenförmig und kürzer

werdend an dieses an. In Aggressionssituationen ist dieser Ruf höher, spitzer und kürzer.

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Verbreitung

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Überwinternde Rotmilane können weiträumig in Südwesteuropa, vereinzelter auch in Süd -und

Südosteuropa, in Ausnahmefällen auch in K.leinasien, angetroffen werden.Das Verbreitungsgebiet

des Rotmilans ist heute im Wesentlichen auf Zentral-, West- und Südwesteuropa beschränkt.

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Lebensraum

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Der Rotmilan ist ein Greifvogel offener, mit kleinen Gehölzen durchsetzter Landschaften. Er ist be-

deutend weniger wassergebunden als die Nominatform des S.chwarzmilans, mit dem er jedoch

häufig in enger Nachbarschaft brütet.

 

Bevorzugte Lebensräume sind A.grarlandschaften mit F.eldgehölzen, oft auch P.arklandschaften,

seltener H.eide- und M.oorgebiete, solange B.äume als N.iststandorte zur Verfügung stehen. Häufig

nutzt er die günstigen Aufwindverhältnisse in engeren F.lusstälern oder an B.erghängen.

 

Zum Jagen braucht er offenes K.ulturland, G.rasland und V.iehweiden, daneben können auch Feucht-

gebiete als Nahrungsreviere dienen. Abgeerntete oder gerade umgepflügte Getreidefelder werden

ebenso in die Nahrungssuche eingeschlossen wie A.utobahnen und M.ülldeponien, letztere aber

nicht in dem Ausmaß wie vom S.chwarzmilan.

 

Sein Verbreitungsgebiet stimmt im Wesentlichen mit den Braunerdegebieten Mittel- und Osteuropas

sowie den mediterranen Braunerde- und Terra-Rossa-Gebieten überein und liegt schwerpunktmäßig

in den Intensivzonen der mitteleuropäischen Landwirtschaft.

 

Im Allgemeinen ist der Rotmilan ein Bewohner der Niederungen und der Hügellandgebiete etwa bis

800 m ü. NN. Im Schweizer J.ura liegen einzelne Brutplätze bei fast 1200 Meter über NN; in den

P.yrenäen sind Vorkommen in der subalpinen Stufe bekannt. Historische Brutplätze im K.aukasus

und im H.ohen A.tlas lagen in Höhen von fast 2500 Metern.

 

Im M.ittelalter scheint der Rotmilan auch in einigen europäischen S.tädten, so etwa in L.ondon,

gebrütet zu haben. Er dürfte dort eine ähnliche Rolle als A.bfallvertilger gespielt haben, wie sie

heute einige Unterarten des S.chwarzmilans ( M. migrans parasitus und M. m. govinda ) in A.frika

beziehungsweise S.üd- und S.üdostasien einnehmen.

 

In günstigen Nahrungshabitaten können Rotmilane in sehr hohen Siedlungsdichten vorkommen.

Besonders dicht besiedelt war der H.akel, ein etwa 13 km² großes W.aldgebiet in der M.agdeburger

B.örde, wo 1.9.7.9 136 Rotmilanpaare brüteten. Seither gingen die Bestandszahlen dort jedoch

kontinuierlich zurück. Solche Konzentrationen von bis zu zehn Brutpaaren innerhalb eines Quadrat-

kilometers sind Ausnahmen, doch auch in der Baar sowie im E.ichsfeld kommen Rotmilane in hohen Bestandsdichten vor.

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Nahrung

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Wie der S.chwarzmilan ist auch der Rotmilan weitgehend Nahrungsgeneralist. Im Gegensatz zu

diesem ist er aber ein leistungsfähigerer, aktiver J.äger. F.isch nimmt nur ausnahmsweise eine

so dominierende Stellung ein wie bei der Nominatform des S.chwarzmilans.

 

Auch A.as und A.bfälle werden zwar regelmäßig, aber seltener als vom S.chwarzmilan aufge-

nommen. Individuell sind die Nahrungs- und Jagdgewohnheiten recht verschieden.

 

Während der B.rutzeit besteht die Hauptnahrung aus kleinen S.äugetieren und V.ögeln. Mengen-

mäßig und gewichtsmäßig überwiegen bei den S.äugetieren F.eldmäuse ( M.icrotus s.p.) und

M.aulwürfe ( T.alpidae ), bei den V.ögeln sehr auffällig der S.tar.

 

Auch verschiedene T.auben ( C.olumbidae ), R.abenvögel ( Corvidae ) und größere D.rosseln

( T.urdidae ), so etwa A.mseln ( T.urdus m.erula ), W.acholder- ( T.urdus p.ilaris ) und M.istel-

d.rosseln ( T.urdus v.iscivorus ) werden relativ häufig geschlagen.

 

Dort, wo der F.eldhamster ( C.ricetus c.ricetus ) noch vergleichsweise häufig vorkommt, zum

Beispiel in O.stpolen, kann dieser zur H.auptbeute werden. Oft handelt es sich bei geschlagenen

V.ögeln um verletzte beziehungsweise kranke Individuen oder um J.ungtiere.

 

In w.asserreichen Gebieten können F.ische, unter ihnen vor allem W.eißfische wie die P.lötze

( R.utilus r.utilus ) und der B.rachsen ( A.bramis b.rama ), gewichtsmäßig dominieren. Erbeutet

werden sowohl lebende, als auch tote oder sterbend an der Wasseroberfläche treibende oder

an den U.fersaum gespülte Fische.

 

Nicht unbeträchtlich ist die Menge an W.irbellosen, die der Rotmilan sowohl im Flug als auch auf

dem B.oden aufnimmt. Vor allem im Frühjahr können verschiedene K.äfer ( C.oleoptera ) sowie

R.egenwürmer ( L.umbricidae ) wichtige Nahrungsbestandteile sein.

 

Der Anteil an R.eptilien und A.mphibien am Gesamtnahrungsaufkommen ist regional sehr unter-

schiedlich, in südlichen Populationen in der Regel etwas größer als in Mittel- oder N.ordeuropa.

 

An A.as ist der Rotmilan etwas weniger häufig zu finden als der S.chwarzmilan, doch nutzt er

totgefahrene oder verendete Tiere ebenso wie dieser. Er ist an g.roßen K.adavern ebenso anzu-

treffen wie an den R.esten von K.leintieren. Auch an M.ülldeponien oder dort, wo große Mengen

tierischen Abfalles anfallen, wie zum Beispiel bei S.chlachthäusern oder T.ierverwertungsanlagen,

finden sich Rotmilane ein.

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Nahrungserwerb

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Der Rotmilan ist ein Suchflugjäger offener Landschaften, der große Gebiete seines Nahrungsreviers

in einem relativ niedrigen und langsamen Gleit- und Segelflug systematisch nach Beute absucht.

 

Er ist Überraschungsjäger, der bei erfolglosem Angriff in der Regel abstreicht und das verfehlte Beute-

tier nicht weiter verfolgt. Nicht selten ist er auch schreitend auf dem Boden zu sehen, wo er vor allem

nach I.nsekten und R.egenwürmern sucht.

 

Erspähte Beutetiere nimmt der Rotmilan im Darüberfliegen vom Boden auf, ohne dabei zu landen.

Auch F.ische werden nach S.eeadlerart von der W.asseroberfläche weggegriffen und davongetragen.

 

Vögel vermag er gelegentlich im Flug oder auf Ä.sten zu überraschen und zu schlagen, meistens

jedoch erbeutet er sie auf dem Boden. Die B.eutetiere werden in der Regel nicht mit den Krallen,

sondern durch kräftige Schnabelhiebe getötet.

 

Rotmilane parasitieren auch bei anderen Vögeln, vor allem bei S.chwarzmilanen, K.rähen und

M.öwen. Sie jagen ihnen die B.eute ab oder belästigen sie so lange, bis sie bereits verschluckte

Nahrung wieder auswürgen.

 

Insgesamt ist der Rotmilan in seinen Nahrungserwerbsstrategien sehr flexibel. Besonders attraktiv

sind M.äharbeiten, da diese für ihn zuvor unzugängliche Beute freilegen. Bis zu ihrem Umbruch

bieten auch abgeerntete F.elder gute Nahrungsressourcen, auf die sich Rotmilane sehr schnell

einstellen können.

 

Bei ausreichendem Nahrungsangebot und außerhalb der B.rutzeit beginnt der Rotmilan erst einige

Zeit nach S.onnenaufgang mit den ersten Beuteflügen und kann seine Jagdflüge bereits einige

Stunden vor S.onnenuntergang beenden. Während des Tages legt er, meist in Horstnähe, längere

Ruhepausen ein, die auch zur intensiven G.efiederpflege genutzt werden.

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Verhalten

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Die Aktivitätszeit ist bei gutem Beutetierangebot auffallend kurz, kann aber, insbesondere während

der B.rutzeit, schon in der frühen M.orgendämmerung beginnen und erst mit Einbruch der

D.unkelheit enden. Immer werden aber zwischen den Beuteflügen ausgiebige Ruhepausen

eingestreut, auch dann, wenn die N.estlinge in unmittelbarer Nähe energisch betteln.

 

Außerhalb der B.rutzeit ist der Rotmilan sehr gesellig und zeigt kein territoriales Verhalten. Die

Art nächtigt fast immer in größeren Schlafgesellschaften, auch die Jagdflüge erfolgen gemein-

schaftlich.

 

Diese Schlafgesellschaften können mehrere hundert Individuen umfassen. Häufig kann in diesen

Milanansammlungen „spielerisches“ Verhalten wie gegenseitiges Necken sowie synchrone Flug-

spiele einiger Vögel beobachtet werden. Gelegentlich brechen Rotmilane im Flug Koniferenzapfen

ab, um sie einfach nur fallen zu lassen.

 

Auch während der B.rutzeit ist territoriales Verhalten nicht sehr ausgeprägt, doch wird die weitere Umgebung des Horstes ( etwa 100 Meter ) und der darüberliegende Luftraum gegenüber Artge-

nossen und artfremden Eindringlingen von beiden Partnern verteidigt.

 

Dabei steigen die Milane hoch auf und attackieren den Eindringling ziemlich energisch von oben.

Meist wird er auch, vor allem vom M.ännchen, eine gewisse Zeit verfolgt, während das W.eibchen

recht schnell zum H.orst zurückkehrt.

 

Ein Nahrungsrevier beansprucht der Rotmilan in der Regel nicht, nur bei sehr geringer Nahrungsver-

fügbarkeit zeigen einzelbrütende P.aare auch diesbezüglich territoriales Verhalten. Gelegentlich

wurde auch bei sehr großen Populationsdichten, wie sie zum Beispiel im H.akel bestanden oder

in einigen Gegenden W.ales bestehen, territoriale Verhaltensweisen bezüglich der Jagdflächen

festgestellt.

 

Rot- und S.chwarzmilane können sehr nahe beieinander brüten. Bei Streitigkeiten um einen

günstigen N.istplatz oder einen bereits errichteten H.orst ist in der Regel der Rotmilan der

Unterlegene.

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Wanderungen

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Die Zugstrategien dieser Art sind uneinheitlich. Insgesamt wird in den letzten beiden Jahrzehnten

eine Verkürzung der Z.ugwege und ein vermehrtes Ausharren der Art in zuvor winters geräumten

B.rutgebieten festgestellt. Schneeärmere W.inter, sowie ein größeres, allzeit verfügbares Nahrungs-

angebot auf M.üllkippen und entlang stark frequentierter S.traßen, ermöglichen es auch vielen

mittel- und einigen n.ordeuropäischen Populationen während des W.inters im Brutgebiet auszu-

harren.

 

Die größten W.interbestände gibt es in Mittel- und Nordeuropa im nördlichen Harzvorland, in der

Schweiz ( zum Beispiel bei N.eerach ), in B.aden – W.ürttemberg sowie in S.üdschweden. In

einigen Ü.berwinterungsgebieten in der Schweiz und in S.üdschweden wurden ( und werden )

die Überwinterer durch Zufütterungen unterstützt. In B.aden – W.ürttemberg ging die Anzahl der

überwinternden Rotmilane mit der Schließung einiger M.ülldeponien kontinuierlich zurück.

 

Die Mehrheit der nord- und mitteleuropäischen Rotmilane verlässt im H.erbst das Brutgebiet und

zieht nach S.üdwesten, insbesondere nach S.panien. Brutvögel des südwestlichen Mitteleuropas,

I.taliens, F.rankreichs und S.paniens, sowie die wenigen Rotmilane Südosteuropas und N.ordafrikas

sind mehrheitlich Standvögel mit unterschiedlich weiträumigen Nahrungsflügen innerhalb ihres

Ü.berwinterungsgebietes. In S.panien decken sich die Überwinterungsregionen mit den Brutgebieten

der dort residenten Rotmilane. Sie liegen vor allem in der N.ord- und S.üdmeseta, im E.brobecken,

in der E.xtremadura, sowie in Teilen S.üdandalusiens.

 

Rotmilane ziehen bei Tag und meistens einzeln oder in kleinen Trupps. Auf dem Wegzug sind die

Zuggemeinschaften in der Regel individuenstärker als auf dem Heimzug. Auf Grund der relativ

kurzen Zugdistanzen verlassen Rotmilane erst spät das Brutgebiet, selten vor M.itte S.eptember,

die meisten aber erst in der ersten O.ktoberhälfte. Die Weibchen ziehen etwa eine bis zwei Wochen

vor den Männchen fort. Sehr früh erfolgt der H.eimzug. Schon in der Februarmitte erscheinen die

ersten ziehenden Rotmilane wieder im Brutgebiet, die Mehrheit folgt Ende F.ebruar und in der ersten

M.ärzdekade. Ein Großteil der einjährigen und viele zweijährige Rotmilane ziehen auf ihren ersten

Heimzügen nicht ins Brutgebiet zurück, sondern verbringen den Sommer entweder im Überwinter-

ungsgebiet oder vagabundieren in kleineren Gesellschaften in S.üd- und M.ittelfrankreich, zum Teil

auch in der Schweiz.

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Brutbiologie

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Rotmilane werden in Ausnahmefällen bereits in ihrem ersten Lebensjahr fortpflanzungsfähig, brüten

aber meist erst im dritten Lebensjahr zum ersten Mal.

 

Die Art und Dauer der Paarbindung ist unterschiedlich. Weitgehend monogame Brutsaisonehen

sind die Regel, doch wurden mehrjährige Dauerehen ebenso beobachtet wie Partnerwechsel

während der B.rutzeit.

 

Bei Standvögeln scheint die Paarbindung stabiler zu sein als bei Zugvögeln, bei denen auch die

durch das Zuggeschehen höheren Ausfallraten zu häufigerem Partnerwechsel zwingen. Die Art ist

sehr brutortstreu.

 

Auch geschlechtsreife Jungvögel versuchen sich meist in der näheren Umgebung ihres Geburts-

ortes anzusiedeln, auch dann, wenn in weiterem Umkreis geeignete Brutplätze zur Verfügung

stünden. Das führt nach Walz in dichtbesiedelten Rotmilanhabitaten mangels geeigneter Brut-

plätze zu einer Erhöhung des Bruteintrittsalters.

 

Bei in M.ittel- und O.steuropa überwinternden Vögeln wurde Balzverhalten während der gesamten

Ü.berwinterungszeit festgestellt. M.ännchen und W.eibchen können bis zu zwölf Tage ( in Aus-

nahmefällen bis zu vier Wochen ) zeitlich versetzt im Brutgebiet ankommen. Sowohl das W.eibchen

als auch das M.ännchen kann zuerst eintreffen. Ebenso treffen aber einige bereits lose verpaart im

Brutgebiet ein. Dort beginnen die Standvögel bereits Mitte bis Ende F.ebruar mit der Hauptbalz, die

Zugvögel im Durchschnitt etwa zwei bis drei Wochen später.

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Horstbau und Balz

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Die Balz des Rotmilans ist nicht sehr auffällig. Im Wesentlichen besteht sie aus Horstbau, gemein-

samen Flügen über dem H.orststandort und häufigen K.opulationen, die bis in die Nestlingszeit

hinein anhalten.

 

Zur Kopulation fordert das W.eibchen mit leisen Trillerrufen, waagrecht geduckter Körperhaltung

und gesenktem Kopf auf. Meist fliegt daraufhin das Männchen seine Partnerin direkt an und landet

auf ihrem Rücken.

 

Ob die spektakulären Steilabstürze über dem Horstrevier zum Balzritual gehören, oder nicht doch

eher der Feindabwehr zuzuordnen sind, ist ungeklärt. Bereits in der Nestbauphase stellt das

W.eibchen eigene Nahrungsflüge weitgehend ein und wird ab dieser Zeit vom M.ännchen versorgt,

bis es sich etwa zwei bis drei Wochen nach dem S.chlupf selbst wieder an der Nahrungsbeschaffung

beteiligt.

 

Der Horstbau oder die Instandsetzung eines alten Horstes beginnt sofort nach Ankunft der Partner

im Brutrevier. Horststandorte und Horstbäume sind sehr unterschiedlich, in Mitteleuropa handelt es

sich aber hauptsächlich um E.ichen, B.uchen oder K.iefern.

 

Felsbruten kommen bei den Populationen auf den B.alearen und den nordafrikanischen Rotmilanen

vor. Ganz selten wurden auch Horststandorte auf G.ittermasten festgestellt. Meist liegen die Horste

relativ hoch und in starken Bäumen, doch wurden auch sehr niedrig gelegene Nester in schwachen

Bäumen festgestellt.

 

Gerne wählen Rotmilane Nistbäume entlang steiler Abhänge oder über Felsklippen, bevorzugt in

Randlagen, oder in stark aufgelichteten Beständen. Nistunterlage ist meistens eine starke Stamm-

gabelung, seltener eine Gabelung in einem starken Seitenast.

 

Am Horstbau beteiligen sich beide Partner. Das Grundgerüst besteht aus starken Zweigen, die

vom Boden aufgelesen oder mit dem Schnabel oder den Fängen von Bäumen abgerissen werden.

Die Auspolsterung erfolgt mit unterschiedlichem, weichem, organischem Material, aber auch mit

Kulturabfällen wie F.olien, P.lastiktüten oder B.indegarn.

 

Letzteres führt nicht selten zur Strangulation eines Nestlings. Plastikmaterialien verhindern eine

ausgeglichene Luftzirkulation und können zur Durchnässung und Unterkühlung der Jungen

führen.

 

Die Größe der Rotmilanhorste ist sehr variabel. Sie können auffallend klein und recht liederlich

zusammengefügt sein mit Durchmessern zwischen nur 45 bis 60 Zentimetern. Mehrjährig benutzte

Nester sind jedoch massive Konstruktionen mit einem Durchmesser von einem Meter und mehr,

bei einer Höhe von über 40 Zentimetern.

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Gelege und Brut

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Das Gelege besteht meist aus drei E.iern, seltener aus einem, zwei oder vier E.iern. Es wurden

auch schon Gelege mit fünf E.iern gefunden. Die E.ier wiegen etwa 60 Gramm und messen im

Mittel 57 x 45 Millimeter.

 

Sie entsprechen in Größe und Form einem mittelgroßen H.ühnerei. Auf trübweißem Grund weisen

sie unterschiedlich stark ausgeprägte, rötlichbraune Flecken, sowie schwärzliche Girlanden auf.

Legebeginn in Mitteleuropa ist frühestens Ende M.ärz, in der Regel aber erst Anfang bis Mitte

A.pril. Bis in den M.ai hinein können frische Gelege gefunden werden. In Südeuropa ist der Lege-

beginn etwa zwei Wochen früher, in den nördlichsten Verbreitungsgebieten nicht vor Ende A.pril,

Anfang M.ai. Rotmilane brüten nur einmal im Jahr, nur bei frühem Gelegeverlust kommt es zu einem

Nachgelege, meistens in einem anderen Horst.

 

Die Eier werden etwa 32 bis 33 Tage fast ausschließlich vom W.eibchen bereits nach dem ersten

E.i fest bebrütet, so dass die J.ungen mit deutlichen Entwicklungsunterschieden aufgezogen werden.

Nur für kurze Zeit übernimmt das M.ännchen das Brutgeschäft. In den ersten zwei bis drei Wochen

bleibt das W.eibchen fast ständig am H.orst, hudert und beschattet die Nestlinge und verfüttert die

vom M.ännchen herbeigebrachte Nahrung, die vor allem aus K.leinsäugern und V.ögeln besteht.

 

Die Nestlingszeit beträgt, abhängig von Witterung und Nahrungsangebot zwischen 48 und 54 Tagen.

In Extremfällen kann das Ausfliegen erst nach 70 Tagen erfolgen. Die Führungszeit ist im Gegensatz

zu der junger S.chwarzmilane recht kurz und beträgt selten mehr als drei Wochen. Danach ver-

streichen die J.ungvögel, meist verlassen auch die A.ltvögel die unmittelbare H.orstumgebung.

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Mischbruten

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In freier Natur wurden gelegentlich Mischbruten zwischen Rot- und S.chwarzmilan festgestellt. Der

S.chwarzmilan war meist der w.eibliche Vogel. Auch erfolgreiche Bruten zwischen einem Schwarz-

milanmännchen und einem H.ybridweibchen wurden bekannt.

 

In Gefangenschaft kommen solche Mischbruten häufiger vor. Im N.aturpark A.ukrug in M.ittelholstein

brütete ein Mischpaar 6 Jahre hindurch erfolgreich. Nach Ausbleiben des Rotmilans trat offenbar

eine H.ybride aus einer vorangegangenen Brut an seine Stelle.

 

Regelmäßig kommt es auf den K.apverden zu Mischbruten zwischen dem heimischen K.apverde-

milan und den vor etwa hundert Jahren eingewanderten S.chwarzmilanen. Der K.apverdemilan

wird entweder als Unterart des Rotmilans ( Milvus milvus f.asciicauda ) oder als eigenständige

Art ( Milvus f.asciicauda ) aufgefasst. Aus diesen Mischbruten entstehen fruchtbare Nachkommen,

die sich weiterverpaaren. Daher ist es fraglich, ob reinerbige K.apverdemilane überhaupt noch

existieren.

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Bestand und Gefährdung

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Der europäische Bestand wird auf 19.000 bis 25.000 Paare geschätzt.

 

Gründe für die Bestandsrückgänge liegen vor allem in der Intensivierung, beziehungsweise Um-

stellung der L.andwirtschaft, sowie im großräumigen Verschwinden des H.amsters, der in einigen

Regionen Hauptbeutetier des Milans war.

 

Besonders negativ wirkte sich diese Entwicklung nach der Wende auf die Rotmilanbestände im Osten Deutschlands aus, wo regional Bestandseinbußen um 50 Prozent und mehr und ein deutliches Absinken der Reproduktionszahlen zu verzeichnen sind. Neben der Verschlechterung der Nahrungsverfügbarkeit durch Umstellung der Mahdtermine, Rückgang der Rinderhaltung und damit verbundener Reduzierung des Grünfutteranbaus mit regelmäßiger Mahd, spielen direkte Verfolgung durch Abschuss oder Vergiftung sowie Unfallverluste an Hochspannungsleitungen und Windkraftanlagen eine stark negative Rolle. Auch das frühzeitigere Schließen von Mülldeponien sowie vermehrte Freizeitaktivitäten in Brutgebieten der Art wirken sich bestandslimitierend aus. Ob sich die zunehmenden Schwarzmilanbestände negativ auf den in direkter Konkurrenz unterlegenen Rotmilan auswirken, ist nicht restlos geklärt.

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Lebenserwartung

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Rotmilane können sehr alt werden. Ein in Freiheit aufgefundener Rotmilan war fast dreißig Jahre alt.

Die tatsächliche Lebenserwartung freilebender Vögel ist jedoch bedeutend geringer.

 

Besonders der erste Wegzug endet für viele Rotmilane tödlich. Am Ende des ersten Lebensjahres

leben von einem Geburtsjahrgang etwa 60 – 65 Prozent. Mit wachsender Erfahrung verlangsamt

sich die Ausfallsrate, sodass nach drei Jahren noch ungefähr 35 – 45 Prozent eines Jahrganges am

Leben ist und zur Brut schreiten kann.

 

Diese Zahlen sind jedoch von vielen Faktoren abhängig, sodass sie nur als Annäherungswerte zu

sehen sind. A.bschuss, K.ollisionen mit H.indernissen und S.tromleitungen sowie Vergiftungen sind

die häufigsten Todesursachen.

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( BeschriebRotmilan AlbumRotmilan AlbumGreifvögelderSchweiz Schweiz Suisse Switzerland

Svizzera Suissa Swiss Sveitsi Sviss スイス Zwitserland Sveits Szwajcaria Suíça Suiza )

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T.our mit dem F.ahrrad durch die U.mgebung von B.ern am Sonntag den 25. Mai 2008

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B.ern - S.tadt B.ern - K.öniz - R.uine G.rasburg - S.chwarzenburg - G.uggisberg -

G.uggishörndli - G.uggershorn ( BE - 1`283m - 1x ) - R.iffenmatt - R.üeschegggraben -

S.chwarzenburg - K.öniz - B.ern B.ümpliz - B.ern

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Hurni080525 AlbumZZZZ080525VelotourGuggershörnli KantonBern

 

E - Mail : chrigu.hurni@bluemail.ch

 

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Letzte Aktualisierung - Ergänzung des Textes : 110216

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Model - Self

 

About the photo - Visit my photoblog

Hear the screams.

 

There are already 430 women murdered in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and there are over 600 desappeared women since 1993, following the same ritual: kidnapping, torture, sexual abuse, mutilations, strangulation.

Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a Casa is an association who puts together victims families in Ciudad Juárez.

For information: www.mujeresdejuarez.org

 

Sono già più di 430 le donne assassinate a Ciudad Juárez nello stato di Chihuahua in Messico e più di 600 quelle scomparse dal 1993 secondo lo stesso rituale: rapimento, tortura, sevizie sessuali, mutilazioni, strangolamento.

Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a Casa è un’associazione che riunisce i familiari delle donne uccise e scomparse a Ciudad Juarez.

Per informazioni: www.mujeresdejuarez.org

 

Hasselblad 500c/m + Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8 + 21mm extension tube + Ilford HP5 Plus 400

There’s not a pier I visit that doesn’t have some level of dangerously discarded fishing monofilament, hooks, and other wildlife hazards. These photos were shot at the Coast Guard pier in Monterey, and these particular hooks and lines were cast in the “no fishing” area, behind a fence. So many of the rocks on the breakwater have monofilament wrapped around the mussels, in the same areas where birds and sea lions haul out. This is a pier where there are many disposal receptacles for fishing monofilament. Fisher people cast in the same areas where cormorants nest, raise their young, and forage for food and nesting material.

 

This photo shows a California sea lion with an entanglement injury. This sea lion was one of the fortunate ones, rescued, with the strangulation element removed. Even after removal, the sea lion bears the significant scar from that injury. Fishing gear entanglements are, unequivocally, the most frequent wildlife injuries I see. Sometimes the animals can be rescued, sometimes they cannot. For as much harm as stray fishing gear does, I wish fishing were prohibited in areas where the wildlife hazards are particularly acute.

 

My recent blog post on this issue: www.ingridtaylar.com/fishing-gear-and-wildlife-injury

The Postcard

 

A postcard bearing no publisher's name that was posted in East London on Friday the 15th. November 1907 to:

 

Miss E. Isaacs,

Bed 11,

Helene Raphael Ward,

London Hospital.

 

The Helene Raphael Ward still exists at the London, and is currently (2019) used for Surgery, Emergency Gynaecology and Booked Gynaecology.

 

The message on the divided back of the card was as follows:

 

"Dear Esther,

By the time you receive

this I hope you will be

much better.

I daresay I shall come

and see you tomorrow.

All at home send their

love.

I remain your loving

sister Rose".

 

Miss Marie Studholme

 

Marie Studholme was born Caroline Maria Lupton in Bradford on Tuesday the 10th. September 1872.

 

Marie was an English actress and singer known for her supporting and sometimes starring rôles in Victorian and Edwardian musical comedy. Her attractive features made her one of the most popular postcard beauties of the day.

 

Her theatre career spanned 1892 to 1915, ending her career in music hall comedy sketches. She was one of George Edwardes' famous Gaiety Girls.

 

In 1907 she studied Jujitsu with Yoko Tani. She loved animals, and was often photographed with them. She charged sixpence to autograph her postcards and gave the proceeds to animal and theatrical charities.

 

Marie lived out her retirement in Hampstead. Studholme Court, a council block, was later built on part of the garden of her former Hampstead home, Croftway, off the Finchley Road.

 

Death of Marie Studholme

 

Marie died at Croftway on Monday the 10th. March 1930 from rheumatic fever aged 57 years, 6 months and 1 day, or. to put it another way, exactly 21,000 days. She was buried in the St. Marylebone Cemetery in East Finchley.

 

Marie left an estate valued at £58,303, which was a very considerable sum of money in 1930.

 

Claus von Stauffenberg

 

So what else happened on the day that Rose posted the card?

 

Well, the 15th. November 1907 marked the birth of Claus Philipp Maria Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg. He was a German army officer. He was also a "Graf" (i.e. Count) and Schenk (i.e., Cupbearer)—an additional hereditary noble title.

 

He took part in the attack on Poland, the German invasion of the Soviet Union and the Tunisian Campaign during the Second World War.

 

The Hitler Assassination Attempt

 

Along with Henning von Tresckow and Hans Oster, Stauffenberg was one of the central figures of the German Resistance movement within the Wehrmacht.

 

After several unsuccessful tries by Stauffenberg to meet Hitler, Göring and Himmler when they were together, he went ahead with the attempt at Wolfsschanze on the 20th. July 1944.

 

Stauffenberg entered the briefing room carrying a briefcase containing two small bombs. The location had unexpectedly been changed from the subterranean Führerbunker to Albert Speer's wooden hut due to it being a hot summer's day.

 

He left the room to arm the first bomb with specially adapted pliers, a task made difficult because he had lost his right hand and had only three fingers on his left.

 

A guard knocked and opened the door, urging him to hurry as the meeting was about to begin. As a result, Stauffenberg was able to arm only one of the two bombs. He returned to the briefing room, where he placed the briefcase under the conference table, as close as he could to Hitler.

 

Some minutes later, he excused himself and left the room. After his exit, the briefcase was moved by Colonel Heinz Brandt.

 

When the explosion tore through the hut, Stauffenberg was convinced that no one in the room could have survived. Although four people were killed and almost all survivors were injured, Hitler himself was shielded from the blast by the heavy, solid-oak conference table leg, which Colonel Brandt had placed the briefcase bomb behind, and was only slightly wounded.

 

Stauffenberg quickly left and drove to the nearby airfield. After his return to Berlin, Stauffenberg immediately began to motivate his friends to initiate the second phase: the military coup against the Nazi leaders.

 

However when Joseph Goebbels announced by radio that Hitler had survived and later, after Hitler spoke on the state radio, the conspirators realised that the coup had failed. They were tracked to their Bendlerstrasse offices and overpowered after a brief shoot-out, during which Stauffenberg was wounded in the shoulder.

 

Claus von Stauffenberg's Execution

 

In an attempt to save his own life, co-conspirator General Friedrich Fromm charged other conspirators in an impromptu court martial, and condemned the ringleaders of the conspiracy to death.

 

Stauffenberg, his aide 1st Lieutenant Werner von Haeften, General Friedrich Olbricht, and Colonel Albrecht Mertz von Quirnheim were executed before 1:00 in the morning on the 21st. July 1944 by a makeshift firing squad in the courtyard of the Bendlerblock, which was lit by the headlights of a truck.

 

Stauffenberg was third in line to be executed, with Lieutenant von Haeften after. However, when it was Stauffenberg's turn, Lieutenant von Haeften placed himself between the firing squad and Stauffenberg, and received the bullets meant for Stauffenberg.

 

When his turn came, Stauffenberg spoke his last words, "Es lebe das heilige Deutschland!" ("Long live our sacred Germany!"), or, possibly, "Es lebe das geheime Deutschland!" ("Long live the secret Germany!").

 

Fromm ordered that the executed officers (his former co-conspirators) receive an immediate burial with military honours in the Alter St.-Matthäus-Kirchhof in Berlin. The next day, however, Stauffenberg's body was exhumed by the SS, stripped of his medals and insignia, and cremated.

 

Berthold von Stauffenberg

 

Another central figure in the plot was Stauffenberg's brother, Berthold Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg. On the 10th. August 1944, Berthold was tried before a special "People's Court" that had been established by Hitler for political offences.

 

Berthold was one of eight conspirators executed by slow strangulation in Plötzensee Prison, Berlin, later that day.

 

Before he was killed, Berthold was strangled and then revived multiple times. The entire execution and multiple resuscitations were filmed for Hitler to view at his leisure.

 

Further Consequences of the Attempt

 

Hitler used the 20th. July Plot as an excuse to destroy anyone he feared would oppose him. More than 200 were condemned in show trials and executed., and the traditional military salute was replaced with the Nazi salute.

 

Eventually, over 20,000 Germans were killed or sent to concentration camps in the purge.