PETCHORA 335 



her nest, when I saw a small bird perch, according to 

 the usual habit of the Willow Wren and the present 

 species, on the summit of a small pine, and identified him 

 as another Siberian Chiffchaff, carrying a little grass or 

 other building material in its bill. I quickly replaced my 

 glass in its case, but almost before this was accomplished 

 the bird flew quickly and silently down into the thicket. 

 I crept forward and sat down on the opposite bank of the 

 stream to watch for its reappearance, but an hour at least 

 so spent, did not procure me another sight of, or a single 

 sound from, the bird. I crossed the stream and searched 

 the thicket — a clump of firs and juniper — without success, 

 and Seebohm and I returned home soon after. 



Seebohm bagged also one female Bluethroat, one 

 Blue-headed Wagtail, one Willow Wren, and I two 

 Wheatears and a AVillow Wren. 



The new arrival is the Mosquito, and if they are of the 

 same species described by Mr. Kae, they are certainly 

 deserving of the name and the description he applies.* 



Few circumstances are so humiliating to the new 

 visitor to the northern tundras of Europe than his first 

 introduction to the principal inhabitants who dominate 

 the whole region. 



' Ping-g-gsz-z-z-z-zsink,' says Mrs. Mosquito, and 

 then, gauzy transparent wings raised, she lights like a 

 feather, and begins to her supper in silence. 



'D ,' says the sleepy vis-d-vis and host — and 



slap ! 



' Ping-g-g-g,' replies the unwelcome guest, with an 

 ' lo triumphe.' 



' But I'm coming soon once more.' 



This morning the wind was nearly south and warm, 



•■■ Culex damnabilis, Rae. Corpus ingens cinereum, pedibus duode- 

 cim anterioribus flavescentibus, antennis nigris, lyroboscis infernalis 

 venuto vnmita. 



