24 Jj Messrs. H.J. and C. E. Pearson on 



this bird, even by the natives, for they rarely find the eggs. 

 The species is one of the latest of the Ducks to breed, our first 

 eggs being taken on July 1st, and fresh eggs were brought 

 to us on the 18th. Generally speaking, the nest is placed 

 within 6 feet of the water, a rapid stream being preferred. 

 On the 11th July H. J. P. visited some islands in a river, the 

 remains of an ancient flow of lava. The lava had formed a 

 dam acro^^s the river, which had afterwards broken through, 

 forming four channels, and down these the water ran like a 

 mill-race, so that it was difficult to find a place where even 

 Iceland ponies could cross. On these islands were six nests 

 with eggs ; three of them only 2 feet from the water, and 

 placed under the leaves of wild angelica ; the others in 

 holes of the banks close to the water and protected by a 

 screen of trailing plants. Most of the nests contained but 

 little down, though some of the eggs were much incubated. 

 The down of this Duck is much larger than that of most other 

 species we have taken, individual pieces having sometimes 

 a diameter of about If in. There were also many old nests 

 in these holes, showing the islands to have been a favourite 

 breeding-place for years. The dog put the duck off a nest 

 of seven eggs on the 9th, which was placed about ten yards 

 from the water under a birch bush ; but we feel sure this is 

 a very unusual distance from water. Flocks of more than 

 30 males were seen together on several occasions and formed 

 a beautiful picture ; some sitting on the rocks, and others 

 swimming among rapids that few other birds would care to 

 frequent. 



Harelda glacialis. Long-tailed Duck. 



One of the commonest Ducks in the Southern Fiskevotn. 

 We found eggs from June 20th to July 18th, most of the 

 nests being placed on islands. On the 20th we flushed the 

 bird from a nest of six eggs, which was several hundred 

 yards from the water, on a bare hill-side of black sand; 

 there was no material in the nest except down, the black 

 colour of which would form a perfect protection when the 

 Duck covered the eggs with it in the ordinary course. Not 



