328 TRAVELS OF A NATURALIST 



Piottuch bought one Peregrine's egg from a Samoyede, 

 who said he found the nest, containing four eggs, on 

 the ground. He broke the other three, unfortunately. 

 Wolley, if I remember rightly, also found the nest of the 

 Peregrine on a tussock of grass in a swamp in Lapland. 



May 28. 



On Friday, the '28th of May, we reversed our walk of 

 yesterday, going up the valley where we shot the Siberian 

 Chiffchaff, in vain search for more, and crossed over into 

 the other valley. We had a long search for a ' Kooksha's ' 

 (Siberian Jay) nest, as the bird appeared to lead us away 

 from a certain clump of lichen-covered spruce, but saw 

 nothing of it. 



While eating our sandwiches, two Pine Grosbeaks were 

 secured. They were very tame, and were uttering low 

 notes — recording their song — at the time. We shot them 

 with half-charges of No. 12 shot. 



A Fieldfare, a Bluethroat, and two Willow Wrens 

 were all we got, and we only once heard the song of the 

 Siberian Chiffchaff. A Merlin was seen flying northward 

 at some height. I identified him with my binocular by 

 his blue black, which showed as he, for a second or two, 

 dived downwards and skimmed along the side of the 

 valley against the dark pine-forest opposite. 



The day was cold, but with bright sun, and wind 

 northerly. Petchora ice is still passing in great quantities. 



Last night we took tea and supper at M. Gladoscheff's, 

 and were in consequence not up this morning as early as 

 we ought to have been. AVe did not go to bed till nearly 

 1 a.m. These late suppers are not the best precursors for 

 a search after the Siberian Chiffchaff. 



May 29. 

 Saturday, the 29th of May, was warmer, and with 

 bright sun. Another fruitless search for the Siberian 



