148 TRAVELS OF A NATURALIST 



couple of Gulls, also (later in the morning) one Terek 

 Sandpiper, Grey-headed Wagtail, Eeed Bunting, etc., 

 and Alston killed a Little Bunting and took the young 

 of the Hooded Crow. 



On one island we landed to make tea and cook potatoes. 

 The fire was simply laid with birch-bark and wood, and 

 the tea and potatoes were ready in a very short time. 

 On this island we took some eggs of Sand Martin, and 

 caught two or three birds. The cruise in and out among 

 the islands was about fifteen miles. On our return, at 

 about 6 a.m., we had a half-hour's sleep, and then with 

 Mr. Birse went to the market, which is held every Tues- 

 day. We bought four Kuffs, a Shoveller Drake, a Curlew 

 Sandpiper, and two Garganeys for the small sum of 

 60 copecks, Birse bargaining for us most successfully. 



The fish market also was interesting. Sterlet, Bream, 

 Petchora Salmon (quite white), and various other kinds 

 of fish. 



We did not go out for the rest of the day, but worked 

 hard at skinning, in which we were helped by our two 

 peasants when they came in from egg-collecting. They 

 complained that it is rather late in the season now. 

 With the eggs they brought in three Ked-throated 

 Divers, Shoveller, Wigeon, and Pintails. 



We engaged a Polish exile, named Ignati Nartziso- 

 vitch Qublitski Piottuch, to shoot and skin for us while 

 we are here for 30 roubles a month. Mr. Shergold 

 assisted us in hiring men. We engaged Nicholai Gre- 

 gorovitch at 2 roubles a day, Jacob Gregorovitch at 

 1^ roubles, and a third man at 1 rouble, to do whatever 

 we need — working the boat, collecting, skinning, etc. 



June 19. 

 Wednesday, the 19th, was spent working in the house 

 all day, instructing Piottuch in skinning. 



