Birds of the Upper Muonio River. 75 



Perisoreus infaustus. Siberian Jay. 



Though plentiful in some years, these birds were scarce in 

 the fir-region at the time of our visit and we only succeeded 

 in finding three nests. By the 9th of May the eggs were 

 hatched. 



Pica rustica. Magpie. 



The northernmost limit of this species in the district 

 appears to be 68° 40' N. lat., where we saw two pairs. The 

 Magpie is not protected as in Norway, but is persecuted by 

 the Finns on account of the damage that it does to the nests 

 of the House-Martin, which is considered sacred. 



Corvus corax. Raven. 



Sparingly scattered throughout the district and breeding 

 in suitable localities in the northern parts. 



Corvus cornix. Hooded Crow. 



This species does not appear to breed north of the fir- 

 region. I found one nest at Ainettivaara on the 6th of May, 

 and saw some individuals in the northern districts; but we 

 observed none breeding there, and the Finns declare that they 

 nest only in fir-trees. 



Alauda arvensis. Skylark. 



On the 19th of May we saw one specimen, evidently on 

 migration, sitting on the ice. 



Otocorys alpestris. Shore-Lark. 



This species was first seen in company with the Snow- 

 Buntings round the houses at the end of April. As the snow 

 melted, the birds moved up the lower hill-sides, nesting at an 

 elevation of some 2000 feet, in the same localities as the 

 Dotterel. Occasionally they breed lower, as does the Golden 

 Plover, and we found a nest close to the river on the 15th of 

 June with the eggs nearly hatched. This was, however, on 

 a dry undulating moor covered with grey lichen and closely 

 resembling the ground on the hill-tops. The nest is 

 extremely difficult to find, as the parents give no indications 

 of its whereabouts. 



