NO. 4.] THE SLEDGE-JOURNEY AND FRANZ JOSEF LAND. 27 



Rhodostethla rosea, (Macg.) 1824. 



For the second time during the expedition, Rhodostethia was observed, 

 this time between the llth July and the 14th August, 1895. This was in 

 the region between the ice far to the north of Hvidtenland, and Dickson 

 Sound, on the north-east side of Franz Josef Land. On this occasion, not 

 only a few were seen as in the previous year, north of the New Siberian 

 Islands, but great numbers; and they were principally older, fully coloured 

 birds. After passing Dickson Sound (the sound between Hohenlohe Island 

 and Karl Alexander Land), not another specimen was seen. The region in 

 which they were observed this time, lies between 82 10' and 81 30' N. 

 Lat.; and it is evident that they must breed somewhere on the north-east 

 side of Franz Josef Land - - perhaps on Liv Island though no nesting- 

 place could be discovered during the journey. 



The first individual of this species was seen on the llth July, 1895 

 (about 82 8' N. Lat.). Nansen and Johansen were then at least 50 kilo- 

 metres NE of Hvidtenland, or about on a level with Cape Fligely. The bird 

 came flying from the north-east, and disappeared towards the south-east; it 

 was full-coloured, and in flying, distinctly showed the black ring round its 

 neck, but it was not near enough to show the rosy colour on the under 

 surface of its body. 



On the days following there was fog, and the ice had closed up, and few 

 birds of any kind were visible. On July 14th, another roseate gull, an old 

 bird, was seen. It came flying low, made a tour round the camp, showing 

 its beautiful rose-coloured breast and belly, and then disappeared into the 

 mist to the west. On July 17th, the next was seen, on the 19th, two more, 

 all full-coloured specimens, and flying from NE to SW (about in the direc- 

 tion of Hvidtenland). 



During the latter half of July, they were observed more frequently, 

 though not quite every day. On the 27th, two came together from the S, circled 

 close above the heads of the travellers, and again disappeared in the south. 

 One of these was a young bird, the first that had been observed this season. 

 A little later, a full-coloured bird was seen. Hvidtenland had then already 

 been seen in the distance. 



