444 Messrs. H. Scebolim and J. A. Harvie Browu on 



and when we descended the river three weeks later we found 

 them already breeding in numbers. We found the Pintail 

 abundant all the way down the river and as far as we went 

 along the coast, both on the delta and on the tundra, and 

 obtained large numbers of their eggs, which, along with those 

 of other species were a welcome addition to our food-supply. 



Anas pkxelope, L. 



The Widgeon is certainly the most abundant species of 

 Duck inhabiting the shores and islands of the Petchora 

 between Ust Zylma and Alexievka, if we judge by the im- 

 mense numbers of their eggs found by ourselves or brought 

 to us by the Zyriani. At the time of migration we only 

 identified one bird, a male, amongst the large flocks of Pin- 

 tails on the Zylma ; and on the 21st May another was brought 

 to us for sale. They probably arrived somewhat later than 

 the Pintails did, and thus escaped our notice at the time of 

 migration ; but while descending the river, on and after the 

 10th June, we found many nests, and met with them more 

 abundantly than the Pintails as far north as the delta. Yoo- 

 shina was the furthest north point at which we saw them, 

 where they were seen in company Avith Scoters, Scaups, and 

 Long-tailed Ducks, Bean- Geese, Black- and Ked-throated 

 Divers, and were frequenting a chain of lovely little pools and 

 lakes on the tundra. We obtained fresh eggs of Widgeon 

 during most of our stay at Alexievka, and as late as the mid- 

 dle of July. 



FULIGULA MARILA, L. 



On the 12th June, as we descended the river, the flag at 

 our masthead disturbed a number of Wild Swans on a pond 

 behind a fringing belt of willows. We landed ; and while 

 endeavouring to get a shot at another Swan upon anotlier 

 pool adjoining, we had an opportunity of adding the present 

 species to our list. Peeping through the interstices of the 

 willow-branches and old trunks, we saw a fine lot of Ducks 

 swimming peacefully about upon the pond or lagoon formed 

 by the overflow of the river. Before they were disturbed the 

 seclusion and quiet of the place was perfect^ reminding one 



