254 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 



eggs, though all had been newly made up. There were 

 many old sleigh tracks about the sand to show the reason 

 why young gulls of this species were so rare at Scharok. 

 Three handsome goosanders were fishing off the bank. 



July 26th. — We got back to the boat, which we found 

 well out of reach of the tide, at 3.30 a.m., and collecting 

 a few little sticks and bits of dry seaweed, managed to 

 make a tiny fire with which we warmed some Liebie. 



Then with sunken logs we improvised some extra 

 anchors for the boat, and with food, guns, and old Sailor, 

 travelled south once more for further explorations. 



The sun was brilliant, and the glaucous o- u lls looked 

 lovely as they sat about the nests. One Arctic morning 

 such as this repays you well for the gloom and unkind- 

 ness of many days. 



Two miles along the bank we found a large pine-tree 

 drifted. Here we made a fine fire and went to sleep. 

 Soon after 10 a.m. I woke to find a chill foo- and the sun 

 fighting it. I roused Hyland, and while he made up the 

 fire and warmed some brent goose, I walked back again 

 to see to the boat ; for I had been fearing she might 

 have been lifted by -the tide. But she was safe. 



A large flock of common scoters were diving in the 

 tideway. They preserved the most perfect order. First 

 the leading bird dived, then the next, and so on till all 

 were under water. Then rising they would all crowd 

 up together, and again string out and dive as before. 



