180 KAMSCHATKA. [chap. 



Since leaving Kluclii we had spent a good deal of time in 

 trying to obtain a specimen of Pallas's Northern Sea Eagle 

 {Thalassaetus ijelagicus) — a species which, at this part of the 

 river, is by no means uncommon. It is a magnificent bird, and 

 is especially conspicuous from the large white shoulder- patches 

 and tail, but owing to its shyness it is extremely difficult to ap- 

 proach. We were, unfortunately, not provided with a rook rifle, 

 and the few long shots we obtained were unsuccessful. Once 

 only did we get a bird fairly within shot, and the two barrels of 

 No. 2 that he received at a distance of thirty yards seemed to 

 have no effect whatever upon him. This eagle appears to be 

 chiefly confined to the lower part of the Kamschatka Eiver, for 

 we did not meet with it before reaching the neighbourhood of the 

 great volcanoes. 



The natives are prevented by law from barring the river in the 

 lower part of its course, and here the salmon are taken chiefly with 

 seine and drift nets. The V-shaped curral-trap of stakes, with 

 baskets on the lobster -pot principle, is also frequently seen; a 

 system which, as I have already stated, is used to bar the river 

 right across at Melcova. The fat of the Kisuchi salmon is regarded 

 as a great delicacy, and is prepared in considerable quantities at this 

 season. A canoe is filled with water, and a number of the fish 

 placed in it. Into this large red-hot stones are dropped, thus 

 boiling the contents, which are meanwhile constantly stiiTcd. 

 The fat is then removed as it rises to the surface. 



The low and muddy shores of the river in this part of its 

 course are in many places intersected with small creeks, at the 

 mouths of which two tall poles may often be noticed. These are 

 used for taking ducks at flight time, by a plan which is not un- 

 common in other parts of the world. A fine net is hung between 

 the two poles, which the hunter lets fall as the birds fly 

 against it. By this means we were told that large numbers are 

 often caught. 



"We woke on the morning of September 15th to a most miser- 



