496 CYGNUS MUSICUS. 
“The nest was about twelve yards from the water’s edge, and had 
evidently been mended from a former year. It was made of grass 
with a few loose pieces of moss, and was fully twenty feet in 
circumference at the base, from which it rose evenly and roundly to 
a height of some twenty inches perpendicular ; the hollow was about 
eighteen inchés across. 
“T now, according to my custom, prepared to watch the birds on 
the nest, both for the pleasure of observing them and to ascertain 
the species beyond a doubt. To attempt either to trap or shoot such 
birds I could not find in my heart. I went to the neighbouring 
island, and spreading a deer-skin in a small hollow, for it was 
raining heavily, I caused myself to be covered with moss, as well 
as the men could manage it. I scarcely dare look up. After some 
time I heard a Swan, of whose approach I had not been aware, rise 
from the water between me and the nest. I did not think it could 
have seen me, and I had, of course, taken care to be well to leeward. 
After another long interval a loudly-whishing pair of wings came so 
close over me that I could fancy I felt the wind of them. Swans 
were still trumpeting in different directions, and though with small 
hopes of succeeding in my object, I still kept my cover. I am 
afraid I was even guilty of a few minutes’ sleep upon my post, for 
once, on looking up, I saw a man just going from the nest. I 
called to him and he said that he had not seen the other boat, so 
that he knew nothing of my having found the nest, but that in his 
boat they had some time before, from a distance, seen the bird upon 
it, and, not being able to find me, had at last come to bave a look 
themselves. Sending them two or three miles away, I renewed 
my watch, but all to no purpose. I had, however, the satisfaction 
of examining the birds sufficiently well to be sure they were Hoopers, 
and not Bewick’s Swans, as they swam at some two or three 
hundred yards’ distance. At length to summon the boats I fired 
a double shot, which did not cause the birds to rise, and at last 
I carefully secured the eggs, which I hope some day to have the 
pleasure of shewing you.” 
[The sixth egg was given to Mr. Hudleston.] 
§ 5381. Four.—Salmojarvi, East Finmark, June, 1885. 
“Birds carefully seen. J. W.” 
O. W. tab. I. 
These I found in the night between Monday and Tuesday. Going 
