observed on the Yenisei River. 491 



on the islands, for another Curlew-Sandpiper's nest; and, 

 though we were unsuccessful, we were somewhat consoled by 

 the number of Little Stints nesting there. The mosquitoes 

 not only made it almost impossible to go ashore, but made 

 our lives miserable on board as well. 



On July 11th, having given up all hope of the ice allowing 

 us to even see Kuzkiu Island until all eggs were hatched, we 

 returned to Golchika, calling at one of the Korsdkoffski 

 group of islands on our way to erect a beacon as a guide to 

 navigation. Tliis island differs from the other islands in 

 the delta of the Yenisei (with the exception of a small one 

 close by and joined to it by a submerged reef of rocks) in 

 being comparatively high and composed of rock instead of 

 the usual tundra. It has been selected by the natives as a 

 fitting place for the erection of a '' temple " to their fish-god. 

 The " temple " consists of a pile of stones supporting some 

 branches of trees ornamented with reindeer skulls and sur- 

 rounded with old sledges. 



The ice which frustrated our object was, of course, only 

 one season^s river-ice, and no doubt rapidly melting under 

 the warm sun; but as the current is very weak so far down 

 the river, and also at times runs up from the sea, it would 

 take some considerable time to drift away, although higher 

 up the river, where the stream is strong, it will come down 

 at the rate of 100 versts a day. 



McGarry remained on the ' Dolphin ' amongst the Brek- 

 hoff^ski Islands to assist in taking soundings, laying down 

 buoys, and erecting beacons for the navigation of the 

 channels, and to bring home my collection by sea; while I 

 took a passage up stream in the s.s. ' Yenisei,' one of the 

 trading-steamers belonging to Kitmanoff & Co., and arrived 

 at Yeniseisk after a voyage of three weeks on August 14th. 

 During my return journey birds were in full moult, and 

 were also screened from observation by the thick foliage 

 and tall grass, so that I was able to add only seven new 

 species to my list. 



In several respects, especially in failing to secure any 

 more eggs of the Red-breasted Goose, Bar- tailed Godwit, or 



