48 TRAVELS OF A NATURALIST 



unsuccessful. We saw several birds but got no shots. 

 The snow was very deep and soft, and not firm, though 

 there was a skin of ice on the puddles. We sank at times 

 at every step up to our middles, and Ole came to the 

 conclusion that on account of the snow the birds had 

 shifted to some other quarters. The cock bird crowed 

 just like our Red Grouse, and when settling from and 

 after a long flight exactly copied our bird in spreading out 

 its wings. 



In the wood we saw lots of Redwings, which were 

 singing, and Bramblings (which Alston had also noted on 

 the 6th). 



Alston also noted to-day an Eagle — query species ?— 

 which flew away round Oddenaes in the direction of the 

 rock which Ole pointed out the day before yesterday as a 

 breeding-place. 



Ole does not know the particulars about its nesting, 

 but is to try and get them out of an old poaching rascal 

 yclept Lars, who takes the young often for the sake of 

 the Government reward, and is rather particular about 

 concealing them. Ole will, however, try and ' work ' 

 him. 



Returning home about 9 a.m. we had a second break- 

 fast, and then went off to try Smedalsvand for Black 

 Duck. It is about three English miles on the road to 

 Nystuen. 



On our way we looked into the Fieldfare's nest, which 

 contained one e^^g on the 6th, and found there were now 

 four. I fingered them, but we agreed to leave them till 

 our return. 



We saw a Dipper, which has — Ole says — lots of names 

 in Norsk, of which he mentioned three, ' Strande Konge,' 

 ' Fosse Karl,' and ' Tys-fugl.' 



On Smedalsvand we saw a Black-throated Diver, but 

 no Ducks, the whole lake being still covered with ice, save 



