282 THE JEANNETTE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



Snow shoe-traveling on the ice became quite the rage about 

 November 10th, and many were the tumbles got by all. Our 

 snow-shoes were those used by the natives about Norton 

 Sound and upon the Yukon. By the 14th of October, the 

 observatory being put up, telephone communication with the 

 ship, distant some one hundred yards, was established. 



One day soon after this I got two small gulls. They 

 came along near a lead where I was sitting, and when with- 

 in range I fired, tumbling one down into the water ; the 

 other turned and I got it. They proved to be Ross' gulls 

 {Rodo&tistua rosea), an exceedingly rare species, very buoy- 

 ant and graceful on the Aving, beautiful pearl-blue on the 

 backs, vermilion feet and legs, and lovely tea-rose on the 

 breasts and under parts ; the rosy tint being scarcely a color, 

 yet blending in exquisite harmony with the pearl-blue of 

 the upper parts. They were in full feather. I afterward 

 got three more in adult and immature plumage. This 

 species is the loveliest I ever saw. I saw more birds, seals, 

 and walrus this first autumn than at any subsequent time. 

 Of course, I except our stay at Bennett Island, where there 

 were thousands of murres, guillemots, and gulls breeding. 



During the last of October and in November light snow 

 fell at intervals, and as it packed hard improved the walk- 

 ing ; also on newly-made ice, after the rime had formed, 

 traveling was very pleasant. I made frequent excursions 

 over the ice in quest of specimens, and though the birds 

 were leaving, I gathered much of interest. The ice this first 

 fall jammed and smashed a good deal. My notes of Novem- 

 ber 7th state : 



" Ice is in motion as yesterday, cracking fearfully. The 

 pressure is very great. Great pieces are pushed about like 

 toys. The floe upheaves and gives way in a manner one 

 would believe impossible. The ship is all right now, but for 

 how long no one knows. Have gun and knapsack ready to 

 leave at a moment's notice for God knows where." 



Some beautiful solar halos were seen about this time, and 

 the aurora was very fine. " To-night, November 10th, the 



