INTRODUCTION 



At the "Danmark Expedition" to the North-East coast of Greenland 

 . in the years 1906—08, planned and led by Mylius-Erichsen 

 until his death, I was engaged as the ornithologist of the expedition. 

 Considering that my observations would be undertaken chiefly on 

 localities, affording likewise good opportunities for the examination 

 of the terrestrial mammals of the country, I was requested later on 

 by the leader of the expedition to take charge of this branch of 

 zoology as well. Not without some hesitation I accepted the request, 

 being less prepared for this work than I might desire. 



Owing to the protracted stay of the expedition in the same part 

 of the country and the relative limitation of my task, it may be 

 said that favourable conditions for a good result existed beforehand. 

 Nevertheless I did jnot ignore for a single moment that this result 

 would depend to a great extent on continual cooperation with my 

 travelling companions, and I am happy to attest that their readiness 

 to help and interest for the cause proved greater than I dared ex- 

 pect. — Chiefly the faunistic notes from the sledge-travellers of the 

 expedition have through the accuracy and intelligence, with which 

 they are written, an extraordinary value for the knowledge of the 

 extension of the birds and mammals in question beyond the rather 

 restricted territory, on which my personal continual observations 

 took place. 



For this help I bring my companions my heartfelt thank! 



Also for kind assistance from different parts during the revision 

 of the home-brought material I owe sincere gratitude, especially to 

 Messrs. Professor, Dr. phil. H. Jungersen and Vice-inspector H. 

 Winge A. M. 



The chief task of the "Danmark Expedition" was, as is well 

 known, to chart the quite unknown stretch of coast fron the north- 

 ernmost point reached by Koldewey on his sledge journey in 1870 

 — the tract round Cape Bismarck — to the terminal points for 



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