A CONTENTED PEOPLE. 105 



by the world. They are a happy and contented race, 

 and have few cares, unless Providence afflicts them 

 with a scarcity. They are singularly dirty in their 

 habits, and never dream of the luxuries of life, so that 

 if the traveller wishes to see the fine scenery of the 

 country, he must make up his mind to rough it, and 

 should provide himself with almost everything that 

 the wayfarer requires for food in the wilderness. 



Pine-knots are burnt instead of candles in this part, 

 the roots or lower parts of the pine being used, where 

 the combustible matter has settled. These pine-knots 

 are stuck into the wall, and give a brilliant light j but 

 they burn very quickly, and require, therefore, to be 

 frequently replaced. The peasants on the coast burn 

 oil, which they extract from the dolphin and other 

 oleaginous kinds of fish. 



The osprey (Pandion haliaetos) is common in all 

 parts of Norway ; it is often seen near the North 

 Cape, and on the Yarangerfjord, in East Finmark. I 

 have frequently observed it on the fjord near Chris- 

 tiania. Its Norwegian name is fislt-drn, or fish-eagle. 

 It feeds entirely on fish, and, like the sea-eagle, it 

 often boldly attacks a large fish, which is more than 

 a match for it, when the hapless bird is overpowered 

 and drowned. Sometimes two osprey s attack the 

 same fish, when a battle royal takes place between 

 them for the possession of the prize. It nests in this 

 country on lofty pines. 



The gyrfalcon (Falco gyrfalco) is common in Fin- 

 mark; its nest is often found on Magero, near the 

 North Cape. This fine bird was formerly very com- 

 mon in Iceland, whence great numbers were annually 

 sent to Copenhagen, for the use of the royal falconry 



