6o TRAVELS OF A NATURALIST 



dozen different ways, but it could not be done. However, 

 I was well pleased at getting the bird, though to have the 

 eggs lying within a few feet of Lars' hand was somewhat 

 tantalising too. 



We heard, however, of two more nests near Nystuen. 

 Ole and I arrived at Nystuen about 9 p.m. I felt really 

 tired to-night, having done a good fifteen miles' walking 

 through snow and marsh and hard road. 



Meanwhile Alston, after parting with me at the 

 Smedalsvand, went on to Nystuen in the forenoon. On 

 the way he saw a Grey Crow near the Soeter, the same 

 place where they bred last year (according to author's MS. 

 here [Nystuen]) which, by the way, was not written by 

 Herr Westren, but by Herr Candidat Hooslef, who was 

 here with him). 



After dinner, Knut not being to the fore, Alston took a 

 turn through the birch- wood. He only heard two or three 

 Bramblings and shot one. He took a lot of Fieldfares' 

 eggs, in nests with six, five, four, four, and one, respec- 

 tively ; and he found a nest in a solitary stunted fir-tree, 

 which was either a Siskin's or a Redpoll's with two eggs, 

 but not seeing the old birds he left them. He saw several 

 Skov Ryper (Willow Grouse), but had only the stick-gun 

 with him. Afterwards he skinned the Lemming caught 

 yesterday. It contained six foetuses, which he preserved 

 in aquavite. 



To-morrow Ole is to take us to another place, near 

 Nystuen, where the Fjeld Orn breeds. Some years they 

 say there are almost none on the Fjeld, in others plenty. 

 Lars returned to Maristuen, and is to-morrow to go in 

 search of Eagle Owls and more Buzzards. 



On my way home I saw a pair of Scaup below the 

 bridge, and also a pair of Common Scoter ; of the latter I 

 shot the ? , but lost it in the river. 



