Scieittific work on the First Thule Expedition 1912. 407 



On the 3rd July, in Adam Bierings Land, we saw for the first time 

 birds of the young brood. These were then still in the downy stage, 

 but on the 6th we saw one close by which was already able to fly. 



On the 14th July, in Game Land, we saw зел^ега! flocks of young 

 birds flying; they were tired out, however, after a flight of about 20 

 metres, so that the dogs are able to run them down. Snow bunting 

 common everywhere in Game Land. 



6th August. They are now beginning to collect in larger flocks, 

 doubtless getting ready for migration. 



On the 9th and 10th August, the last days of our stay, we saw them 

 flying away in fairly large flocks. 



On the 21st August, at night, while at work by the tent, about 

 79° 40' N., 51° 30' W., in the middle of the inland ice, a snow bunting came 

 flying up, circled once or twice round the camp, and then flew off in a 

 north-westerly direction. (Land south of Osborne Fjord a good 300 km 

 away?). 



On the 29th August another snow bunting visited the camp then 

 at 78° 24' N. 61' W. It seemed cheerful enough; perched on the upright 

 of a sledge and twittered a little, then flew away towards the east. This 

 appeared to be a young bird. 



On the 1st September, at about 78° 10' N., abt. 64° W., as I was run- 

 ning on ski ahead of the sledges, a snow bunting came flying up and 

 settled on the snow in front of me, twittered a little, and flew ofl to the 

 westward. 



2. RedpoU. Cannabina Urinaria, var. canescens. 



On the 18th May, near the frozen waterfall between the Glacier 

 Lake and the Zigzag river, I saw a redpoll of the lighter type, apparently 

 engaged in picking seeds from the cock's foot grass. In noting this as 

 belonging to the lighter variety {canescens) I am merely judging from 

 what I could see at a glance, the reddish tint on neck and breast being 

 apparently hghter than I remember to have seen in other redpolls; I 

 make the statement, however, with all reserve. 



3. Lapland bunting. Emberiza lapponica. 



On the 23rd July, in the "High Road" Valley, Game Land, one 

 of these birds was seen carrying what was possibly a larva in its beak. 



4. Ptarmigan. Lagopus mutiis riipestris. 



These birds were common wherever we went on land, being doubt- 

 less as numerous as in the inhabited parts of Greenland. 



On the 20th May, a solitary specimen was shot in the Zigzag Valley. 



On the 22nd May we shot two pair, after which date we saw them 

 €very day, shooting as many as we needed for food. Both male and 



