28 THE WILD REINDEER OF NORWAY. 



by thick driving storms of snow and sleet, which 

 obscured all surrounding objects, and rendered 

 stalking impossible. 



On a certain evening, however, the atmosphere 

 cleared, and, after a most magnificent sunset, the 

 sky appeared settled, and seemed to promise finer 

 weather. Several times during the night I heard 

 the hoarse grunting roar emitted by the stags at 

 this season, evidently not far off, and as soon as 

 daylight appeared we were up and stirring. The 

 morning was beautifully clear, the snow- covered 

 cliffs and glaciers being tinged with a pale rose- 

 coloured light, which grew brighter as the sun 

 gradually rose above the horizon ; two or three 

 ravens were hovering in the air, and the snow 

 bunting (Emberiza nivalis) and meadow pipit 

 (Anthus pratensis) uttered their mellow call notes, 

 and flitted among the rocks by the little lake. 



On one side of our camp there were some high 

 cliffs, and above a snow slope of considerable ex- 

 tent. This, again, was bordered by rocks and large 

 masses of boulders, mingled with patches of snow. 

 About this part of the fj eld we expected to find the 

 deer, as in the rutting season they generally resort 

 to rocky ground. 



We had a long scramble over the rocks, seeing 

 but few objects of interest except a fine golden 

 eagle, which soared in circles round us for a 



