FALCO GYRFALCO. 91 



latter got me the eggs last year. They tried for two days to catch 

 the bird^ but they could not get it. Ludwig told me that the bird 

 cried out a little at first, and then went and sat on a tree or stake at 

 a distance, all the time they were setting the trap. This nest I have 

 not seen. Ludwig fastened a rope above, and climbed up from below. 

 There was ice on the river beneath. He observed that the sticks 

 were of willow, and without bark. 



§ 198. Three.— ^Q?>i Finmark, 25 April, 1855. " J. W. ipse.'' 



O. W. tab. viii. figs. 5, 6. 



These eggs I took myself, last night, out of a very slight nest in 

 a recess of the cliff overhanging the river. I watched the birds with 

 my glass, and saw the cock perfectly, examining him at a distance of 

 little more than ten yards as he sat on the nest. As we came to 

 the place, the hen left the nest ; and whilst we were standing on the 

 other side of the river, the cock flew from a tree close by, and settled 

 on the nest. After looking well at him, I put the gun aside, for 

 Lassi was sure we could get him in a snare. He did not leave till 

 we were very near, though he was in full sight all the time. His 

 breast spotted transversely at the side, his moustache not dark, his 

 back and wings pale slate-colour, with small white spots. His orbits 

 yeUo w j and his feet, as they hung down when he flew, apparently yel- 

 low also. We climbed up, set a snare, and went to watch. After some 

 time, the hen came and crept in by the side of the snare. I sent 

 Lassi at once, but she went out just through it. He set it again, 

 and we watched for an hour or two, the bird sitting on a tree. At 

 last she went away with a low cry, and we, after some time, went 

 also. During the night we returned ; but the bird, being probably in 

 a hurry with her fourth egg, had gone elsewhere to lay it. I took 

 the eggs with my own hand, the nest being very easy of access. 



The pale egg [tab. viii. fig. 5] was not there when Lassi was at the 

 nest, 21st April : there were then only two. He was there about 

 eight o'clock in the evening ; I was there first at midday 25th April. 

 The eggs, of course, perfectly fresh. 



§ 199. Four.—WQ^i Finmark, 1857. 



Sent, with another nest [§ 212], by Lassi. Before Ludwig left, 

 Lassi said he knew of a nest in an old place, with one or two eggs. He 

 had to carry the post, and Ludwig sent him word to take the eggs 



