312 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. April 



exceeding the precipitation this does not represent the 

 total fall. The tops and brows of the hills, which 

 were quite bare in February and March, are now 

 hidden under the thin but universal covering of snow. 

 Any stone projecting through, and against which the 

 sun has full play, is, however, kept clear by the quick 

 evaporation; the snow apparently changing first into 

 ice and then disappearing without wetting the dark 

 background. 



' The ptarmigan passing the neighbourhood are 

 evidently seeking better feeding-grounds. There are 

 no willow-plants uncovered by snow near us. All the 

 tracks we see are those of birds proceeding towards 

 the north-west, generally in pairs. They light near 

 any uncovered patch of ground likely to be vegetated, 

 run across it, winding their way through the snow 

 furrows in search of the willow or other food. On 

 gaining the western edge of the cleared ground the 

 trail is lost by their flying to the next uncovered patch, 

 where it is sure to be found again. 



' 30th. — After a w r eek's stay, Captain Stephenson, 

 with his crew of Hans and two men, with eleven dogs 

 — one very fine one having died during a fit — started 

 on his return to the " Discovery," leaving Mr. Mitchell 

 on board the " Alert." 



' In the evening Lieutenant May returned with his 

 party from Lincoln Bay, having travelled overland to 

 Cape Union, but from thence he was obliged to follow 

 the coast-line. 



' At the head of Lincoln Bay vegetation was rather 

 abundant, with numerous traces of hares and ptar- 

 migan, but no musk-oxen as we had hoped. One hare 



