374! Messrs. W. E. Clarke and J. Backhouse — Autumn 



become much more numerous since the snowstorm on the 

 22nd. Some few of the Wigeon had moulted their primary- 

 quills and were quite unable to fly. On the 25th an adult 

 Iceland Falcon was observed ranging over the pools, and a 

 capital view was obtained of it, especially as it made off on 

 our appearance, when the black-and-white became very dis- 

 tinct against the background formed by the mountain-side 

 to which it sped. As a consequence of its visit, the Duck 

 skulked, and were most difficult to find. On the 2Gth we 

 left our comfortable quarters at Valthjofsta'Sr e7i route for 

 SeySisfjorSr, to join the steamer ' Craigforth,^ which was to 

 sail for Scotland on the 29th. We had hoped to ride 

 back via HallormstaSr for the birch-forest ; but the swollen 

 state of the rivers made fording impossible, and we had, in 

 consequence, to take the western side of the lake, passing the 

 night at the farmhouse at As (pronounced " Ous ") . Close to 

 As, a fine crag abuts on the lake, where, we were informed, a 

 pair of large Falcons had nested in the spring, driving away 

 a pair of Ravens from their favourite breeding-haunts. These 

 birds, we were assured, were not Iceland Falcons, which are 

 well known, being described as rather smaller ; and had the 

 Peregrine been a recognized Icelandic bird we should have 

 supposed it to be that species. 



On the 27th we continued our journey along the margin 

 of the lake, passing through some promising bird-country, 

 both crag and marshland, no doubt in summer the haunt of 

 many interesting species, but now the Raven was the only 

 bird seen. In a crag by the side of a waterfall a this year's 

 nest of the Iceland Falcon was pointed out to us. Crossing 

 the lake by boat, with the ponies in tow at the stern, we 

 ascended the lofty pass of the Fjardar hei'Si, or Fjord-Heath, 

 lying between us and the sea, now snow and ice-covered, the 

 latter strong enough to bear the weight of man and horse, 

 and arrived at SeySisfjorSr in the evening. 



Our last day in Iceland, the 28th of September, was a 

 most wintery one, snow falling at intervals all day accom- 

 panied by a north-westerly gale. At midday we went on 

 board the ' Craigforth,' and from its deck watched several 



