The Journal of a Sporting Nomad 



with him two Norwegian ponies. These had been 

 fitted with leather shoes similar to those used 

 in England on horses' feet when drawing a 

 mowing-machine on our lawns, but larger in the 

 tread, to prevent the ponies' feet from sinking 

 in the deep snow. These ponies were for the 

 purpose of drawing sleighs on which were packed 

 the stores for the trip. When it came to deciding 

 who was to accompany the expedition it was 

 considered that with the means of transport at 

 hand some of the party had to be left behind. 

 (See Sir Martin Con way's book on his expedi- 

 tion.) Trevor Batty e and I therefore remained 

 in charge of the camp at the base, where we 

 amused ourselves by collecting various plants, 

 bird skins, etc. One day we discovered a small 

 coal seam, some of which we used daily in our 

 fireplace. It was of very poor quality, soft and 

 very smoky, a kind of lignite, but it answered 

 admirably for our cooking necessities. I believe 

 since our discovery a small company was formed 

 for the purpose of working this coal, but I am 

 not aware with what results. 



The sea-birds, such as guillemots, little auks, 

 etc., come in millions to these islands to breed ; 

 they can be seen flying backwards and forwards 

 throughout the day and night between the sea 

 and their nests, often with a small fish in 

 their mouths. Battye and I found on one occa- 

 sion a pink-footed goose's nest in which were 



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