Ramble in Eastern Iceland t^-c. 369 



of the species consists of the leaves of Dryas octcpetala, 

 called, on this account, in the Icelanrlic vernacular/' Rjupa- 

 Isef/^ "Rjupa" being the native name for the Rock-Ptar- 

 migan. 



This bird seems to be decidedly local in the island ; indeed 

 our brother M. B. O. U., the Rev. E. Ponsonby Knubley, who 

 spent three months in Western Iceland, did not meet with 

 it. The species is still numerous in several northern districts, 

 although its numbers were sadly diminished by the long and 

 severe winter of 1880-81, when in some places it was exter- 

 minated, and in most brought to the verge of extinction. At 

 HallormstaiSr thousands perished, and many starving birds 

 approached the house and, losing all fear, entered the build- 

 ing where the hay was stowed, to feed, in the presence of 

 the proprietor and his servants, on the seeds scattered on the 

 floor. 



In winter the Rock- Ptarmigans arc captured by means of 

 rude string nooses set in the snow, and around which hay- 

 seeds are scattered. In this way enormous numbers were 

 formerly taken and sent to Denmark ; and we should be 

 afraid to say how many thousand brace the captain of the 

 mail-steamer informed us he had taken on a single voyage in 

 years gone by ; now he seldom sees any. In many places, 

 however, it is gratifying to know that at other seasons the 

 birds enjoy immunity from persecution; for the Icelander 

 lacks even a dash of the sportsman in his nature. 



The morning of the 14*th found us again in the saddle 

 continuing our journey towards the head of the Lagarfljot 

 valley. At noon we had reached the head-waters of the lake, 

 and crossing the numerous channels of the affluent river, we 

 proceeded to Valthjofsta^r, situated at the point where the 

 valley bifurcates, and on the western branch of the river which 

 rises on the north-eastern slopes of the Vatna JokuU. At 

 the invitation of our congenial travelling companions, Pastor 

 Gunnarsson and his good wife, we decided to make this 

 place our headquarters, in order to explore the immediate 

 neighbourhood from this point. As we approached Valth- 

 j-ofstaSr a migratory party of Golden Plover passed overhead, 



