NO. 4.] THE SIBERIAN COAST. 



(July 30th), as many as half a score of these birds might be counted at one 

 time from one spot, scattered here and there over the tundra, perched on 

 stones or grass-tussocks. At Khabarova, they were sometimes observed 

 sitting upon the grave-crosses, on the watch for small rodents. 



It is probable that the lemming (L. obensis) or one of the Microtus 

 species had a breeding-year at the time. No living specimen of them was 

 found, however; but all along the Siberian coast, wherever a landing was 

 made, their holes and burrows were observed in the hillocks. 



Lagopus lagopus, (Lin.) 1766. 



This species was observed twice on the Yalmal Peninsula (69 37' 

 N. Lat.). 



On August 8th, a covey was found there, consisting of a cock and 

 four hens, all of them full-grown specimens. (They were all shot.) Sub- 

 sequently a hen-bird was found, keeping guard over a single young one, 

 rather larger than a thrush, and just able to flutter; the rest of the brood 

 may have been taken by birds of prey (or by the arctic fox). 



On August 20th, 'Ryper' were observed on Reno (74 46' N. Lat.), 

 but at so great a distance, that the species could not be determined. On 

 September 8th, a specimen was observed at rather closer quarters, in Toll 

 Bay, Chelyuskin Peninsula (76 32' N. Lat.). The bird, which was a male, 

 had scarcely begun to turn white, and still had a quantity of brown (not 

 grey) feathers on its breast. The ground was not yet covered with snow. 



Squatarola helvetica, (Lin.) 1766. 



On August 8th, several specimens of this species were seen on the 

 Yalmal Peninsula 1 ; and on August 20th and 21st, several more were seen 

 on Reno (74 46' N. Lat.). They all appeared to be full-grown, as the breast 

 was still black. The ground here was a ling-covered tundra. 



?Totcmus nebularius, (Gunn.) 1767. 



A good-sized wader, of a mottled grey colour, and rather smaller than a 

 whimbrel, and which may possibly have been a greenshank, was seen on the 



1 In "Farthest North", vol. I., p. 140, this species, by an inaccurate translation, has been 

 called the "golden plover". 



