346 Mr. H. Saunders on the Birds in the 



XXXI. — On the Birds exhibited in the International Fisheries 

 Exhibition. By Howard Saunders, F.Z.S. 



In the selection of the species of birds which may, with any 

 show of consistency, be considered to be connected with fish 

 or fisheries, the exhibitors in the various sections have per- 

 mitted themselves an elasticity which is not without its 

 advantages. Asa general rule, the birds exhibited are either 

 fish- eaters or frequenters of marshes and waters, salt or fresh ; 

 but to this there is a notable exception in the collection which, 

 as it happens, is almost the nearest to the principal entrance 

 of the Exhibition, and which, as every ornithologist will 

 allow, is undoubtedly first in scientific importance. It is to 

 the Swedish section that the student will at once direct his 

 steps, and, interesting as is the collection of skeletons of 

 aquatic birds from the Gothenburg Museum, contributed by 

 the liberality of Mr. Oscar Dickson, he will pass on to that 

 more important monument of the enterprise of the merchant- 

 prince and the daring of a scientific navigator — the birds of 

 the 'Vega^ Expedition under Professor and Baron Nor- 

 denskiold. 



It will be remembered that, after rounding Cape Chel- 

 yuskin and virtually accomplishing the north-east passage 

 by sea, the ' Vega ' was unexpectedly ice-bound at a point on 

 the Siberian coast which is often reached by American 

 whalers from Behring's Straits. The nearest settlement of 

 the aboriginal Chukches was Pitlekaj, and it was in this 

 neighbourhood that the most interesting portion of the orni- 

 thological collection was obtained. Up to the 19th October 

 myriads of birds passed southwards from the north-west ; but 

 by the 3rd November this procession was over, and it was 

 noticed as something uncommon that a Gull like an Ivory 

 Gull, but with a black head, settled in the vicinity of the 

 vessel. This might have been an adult Sabine ; but it was 

 probably an immature example of the Ivory Gull, some indi- 

 viduals being very dark about the face, and, at a distance, 

 apparently black-headed. Only the cosmopolitan Raven, 

 the Snowy Owl, and its prey the Ptarmigan remained 



