178 Tlie Birds of Spitshcrc/en and Bear Jshuid. [Ibis, 



to Ross Island and east to tlie Ryk Ys Islands. Both sexes 

 take part in incubation and are very reluctant to leave 

 the eo-g. 



59. Fratercula arctica arctica L. Norwegian Puffin. 



The researches'of Koenig and Le Roi have shown that the 

 Bear Island Puffin belongs to a smaller billed and shorter 

 winged race than the Spitsbergen form, apparently identical 

 with that breeding on the coast of Norway. It is not 

 numerous, but a few pairs nest in the cliffs from Mount 

 Misery southward and also on the north side near Herwig 

 Harbour. Koenig obtained a single male of this form at Van 

 Keulen Bay on 1-4 June, 1908, and among those shot by our 

 party at Yogel Hoek, Prince Cliarles Foreland, was another 

 small-billed and short-winged bird (1 July, 1921). 



GO. Fratercula arctica naiimanni (Norton). Spitsbergen 

 Puffin. 



Not very numerous, but breeds in the cliffs at many points 

 along the west and north-west coast, and only occurs 

 occasionally on the east side. No eggs of this race appear 

 to have been previously taken in Spitsbergen, and the 

 breeding habits seem to differ somewhat from those of its 

 southern relative, for no attempt is made as a rule to burrow 

 into the ground, the single egg being laid in a cleft or recess 

 in the face of a cliff, between masses of rock. It is also a late 

 breeder, for eggs taken at Cloven Cliff on 9 July, and on*^ 

 from Anser Island on 17 July, were only slightly incubated. 



61. Lagopus mutns hyperboreus Sund. Spitsbergen Ptar- 

 migan. 



Of the distribution and status of this species there is still 

 much to be learned. Most notices of its appearance are from 

 the west coast, but it has been recorded from North-East 

 Land, Barents Island, Edge Island, etc. Ap[)arently in 

 1920 it was present in considerable numbers at Ebba Valley 

 (Klaas Billen Bay), and large numbers were shot there in 

 that year; but though feathers and droppings were to be seen 

 in hundreds along the sides of the valley, and in one case the 



