during the Arctic Expedition 1875-76. 411 



north as Buchanan Strait (lat. 79°) ; but this bird was not seen 

 again by me until our return southward in September 1876^ 

 after regaining navigable water south of Cape Sabine. The 

 north water of Baffin Bay is evidently the limit of the north- 

 ern range of the species in that direction ; and I doubt if 

 there are any breeding-haunts of this species north of Cape 

 Alexander. 



20. COLYMBUS . 



On the 2nd September, 1875, at Floeberg Beach (lat. 82° 

 27' N.), a Diver, I think C. septentrionulis , alighted in a pool 

 about a hundred yards from the ship. A boat was instantly 

 lowered ; but the noise made by pushing the boat through the 

 young ice alarmed the bird, which rose and flew to another 

 pool half a mile to the southward. I tried to make my way 

 over the floe towards the bird ; but the ice was unsafe, so I had 

 to give up the pursuit. The numerous lakes and ponds in 

 Grinnell Land abound with a species of char [Salmo arcturus, 

 Giinther) , which doubtless might afibrd good living to birds of 

 this family. 



21. Harelda glacialis. Long-tailed Duck. 



We observed a flock of this species swimming in the pools 

 of water between the floes on the 1st September, 1875, near 

 Floeberg Beach (lat. 82° 27' N.). On the 16th September 

 two were shot not far from the ship. During the summer of 

 1876 a few of these birds visited the northern shores of Grin- 

 nell Land ; we found them in pairs on lakes and ponds, where 

 they were evidently breeding. From the rapidity with which 

 they dive they are very difficult to shoot, and when secured do 

 not repay the outlay in powder and lead. 



22. SoMATERiA MOLLissiMA. Eider. 



This species breeds in great numbers in the neighbourhood 

 of Port Foulke, but decreased in numbers as we advanced 

 northwards. It became rare after passing Cape Fraser, the 

 meeting-place of the polar and Baffin-bay tides, but was re- 

 placed to some extent by the next species. I did not obtain 

 an Eider north of Cape Union. Dr. Coppinger procured both 

 Eider and King-Duck at Thank-God Harbour (lat. 81° 38' N.) 

 in the month of July, 1876. 



