K^C'i 



OSTIAK CHOOM 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



THE CHANGING SEASONS. 



Erection of an Ostiak Choom— Ornithological Results of the Week— An 

 Ostiak Feast — Comparisons of Ostiaks and Tungusks — Snowy Owl — Our 

 First Rain in the Arctic Circle — Further Signs of approaching Summer 

 — Northern Marsh-tit— Ornithological Resultsof the Third Week— White- 

 tailed Eagle — Snowstorm — A solitary Barn Swallow — A Wintry Day — 

 A Fox — The River rises — Five Roubles for an Eagle — What became of 

 the Roubles — Visit from our Ostiak Neighbour — A Baby Fox — Our Two 

 Babies — A Crow's Nest — The Blue-rumped Warbler. 



On the 7th of May I recorded in my journal another sign 

 of approaching summer, namely, the arrival of an Ostiak 

 family, who in the course of the day erected a tent or 

 choom on the banks of the Kureika close by the ship. 

 The migrations of the natives in these parts are facts 



