326 TRAVELS OF A NATURALIST 



The Blue-headed Wagtails, 3 , appear to be bluer on 

 the head than those we have seen in Norway on the 

 Fjelds — not so black, but we must await a comparison 

 of specimens before doing further than indicate what 

 appears at present a difference. One female got to-day, 

 and another obtained before, have not the slightest 

 appearance of blue on their heads — probably immature — 

 and a third has a considerable amount of blue. The 

 yellow of the females is much paler than that of the 

 males. 



To-day there was again a good deal of ice coming down 

 the river, which will doubtless impede the voyage of our 

 large boat down from where she lies — 80 versts from Ust 

 Zylma. 



May 27. 



On Thursday, the 27th of May, we noted that there 

 had certainly been an influx of Common Sparrows in Ust 

 Zylma, and it is worthy of remark that they seem almost, 

 if not quite, confined to a small portion of the town, 

 namely, close round M. Znaminsky's and our houses. 

 At all events we have identified nothing but Tree 

 Sparrows in other parts of the town as yet. This 

 morning we especially devoted our attention to them as 

 we returned from a fruitless search for waders along the 

 shore. 



There was bright sun, but a cold wind from the north- 

 ward. There was much ice again in the stream of the 

 Petchora, and the river had risen quite two feet since 

 yesterday. All the Ijma, Pisjma, and Zylma ice has long 

 since passed down-stream. What is now passing is 

 Petchora ice, and the Ussa ice has still to come, the Ussa 

 being a larger river than the Petchora. 



The steamer was expected to come up from Habarika 

 on Sunday next, but possibly this ice may detain her, as 

 it will doubtless detain our boat in descending. 



