Scientific work on the First Thule Expedition 1912. 409 



5. Turnstone. Strepsilas' interpres. 



On the 1st June, when out on the ice in Danmarks Fjord, we heard 

 a turnstone calling from the land, and a little afterwards saw a small 

 bird flying along the shore, probably the same. 



On the ord June, at Cape Kronborg, we saw two of these birds 

 flying up from the south. On the next day again two were seen. After 

 that date they were seen and heard regularly as long as we were in Inde- 

 pendence Fjord. None were observed after we had passed inland. 



6. Sanderling. Calidris arenaria. 



These birds were first observed after reaching Adam Bierings Land, 

 which may be due to the fact that suitable conditions were not present 

 in the country previously traversed. 



On the 6th July in Valmuedalen, we saw a sanderling with four 

 young ones, still downy, which it was leading about in a moist patch 

 of meadow ground near a stream. It was not so successful in diverting 

 attention from its young as are ptarmigan or ringed plover, the young 

 ones also being too impatient to lie still. As soon as the danger was 

 some 5 — 6 paces distant, they bobbed up and ran about calhng, on 

 which the mother would came back and make them lie down again. 



On the 9th July, having gone out some little way to the north of 

 Valmuedalen, we came upon 5 — 6 broods of young sanderlings. 



On the 14th July, in Game Ijand, we saw several sanderlings in 

 different valleys. In the "High Road" Valley, on the banks of the lake, 

 which was only free from ice close to the land, there was quite a httle 

 colony of these; 25 — 30 birds at least, with their young. 



On the 25th July the young birds were able to fly; as late as the 

 4th August, however, they still kept together in broods, following 

 their mothers. 



7. Ringed Plover. Ægialitis hiaticula. 



On the 5th June we saw the first of these birds, in Independence 

 Fjord; it came from the southwards, across the bay. Later on we saw 

 one now and then; not until the 15th however, could they be said to 

 be common. 



On the 10th July in Valmuedalen, we saw a ringed plover fluttering 

 about in order to distract attention from nest or young, neither of which 

 was found. 



On the 24th July, in Game Land, where the species is of common 

 occurrence, we found the young of these birds able to fly. 



8. Arctic Tern. Sterna macrura. 



On the 12th June, in Independence Fjord, we saw two terns flying 

 in over the fjord, and on the day following 5 were seen. 



