78 Lieut. S. A. Davies on the 



Astur palumbarius. Goshawk. 



A few pairs were found breeding round Ainettivaara, but 

 they were much scattered. We obtained only two nests, the 

 first eggs being laid on the 1st of May. The structure was 

 very bulky, like that of a Sparrow-Hawk exaggerated, and 

 the cup was neatly lined with green fir-shoots. The Finnish 

 name means " Capercaillie-Hawk." 



Falco gyrfalco. Gyr-Falcon. 



This species is becoming very rare. The Helsingfors 

 dealers offer four shillings apiece for the eggs, and in 

 consequence the nests are robbed by the Finns wherever they 

 are accessible. When eventually the birds take to a new 

 breeding-place it is generally inaccessible, and they appear 

 to be moving to the Norwegian side of the frontier, where 

 the country is more mountainous. The first eggs were laid 

 on the 24th of April. 



Falco tesalon. Merlin. 



Fairly common, especially in the fir-region, where it nests 

 exclusively in trees. We obtained seven nests, all built on 

 firs, from the Ainettivaara district. The birds arrived on 

 the 15th of May, and we took the first eggs on the 12th of 

 June. 



Paxdion halia'etus. Osprey. 



The fir-woods at Ainettivaara are not large enough to 

 afford suitable breeding-trees for this species, and it is 

 consequently rare. We obtained one nest only, on the 25th 

 of June. This species arrived on the 11th of May. 



Anser erythropus. Lesser White-fronted Goose. 



This Goose was very common on the river, breeding in the 

 larger morasses of the birch-region. It arrived on the 23rd 

 of May, and flocks were to be seen throughout the season — 

 a large number of the birds appearing not to breed at all. 

 We found the first of our nests on the 6th of June. They are 

 always placed on small elevations in the bogs, which resemble 

 miniature islands. The cry of this Goose is very high-pitched 

 and shrill. When first disturbed the flocks always fly up 

 within shot, apparently to inspect the intruder. 



