viii PREFACE 



before, though a good many of Alston's and my notes 

 appeared in the then current Parts of Dresser's 'Birds of 

 Europe,' for both Norway and the White Sea ; and a 

 short paper appeared in the ' Ibis ' on the Birds of 

 Archangel, etc., by Alston and myself. 



Of the two Russian journeys, the first was undertaken 

 entirely in the summer months ; but the second was 

 travelled in the late winter, under — needless to say — 

 totally different conditions and aspects, as perhaps a few 

 of our illustrations may be found to indicate. 



And now, perhaps, last if not most imperative, I 

 believe some apology to that portion of the public and my 

 friends, who may deign to peruse these after-date 

 narratives, is due ; and possibly one little word may 

 be attempted of doubtful justification. 



The lapse of years between the dates, 1871, Norway, 

 1872, Archangel, and 1875, Petchora, and the present 

 day is great, and must be the theme of my apology. 



Justification I personally doubt — but I have been 

 encouraged — wisely or unwisely, it is not for me altogether 

 to say, ' to do this thing ' — and the reason amongst 

 others given, was, the very antiquity of the relation ! 



Mr. Henry Cook, lately H.M. British Consul at 

 Archangel, to whom at different times, I had, at his re- 

 quest, sent extracts from my old journals, and my collected 

 information concerning the Government of Archangel, 

 strongly urged me to publish. ' Because,' he said : ' they 

 contain matters of much interest connected with the 

 Archangel Government, as it was known thirty years 

 ago.' Other friends nearer home who had seen the 

 journals in their original condition also advised it. More 

 I cannot say. But is this justification '? I doubt it ! 



There is a soup in Eussia — a vegetable soup — with 

 lumps of ice in it, called ' Stchee.' There is another 

 equivalent, but without the extra * filip ' of the ice ; in 



