chap. xvi. BIRDS. 187 



was less marshy, the ground more hilly, and upon it were 

 more willows. The country looked so inviting that we cast 

 anchor and went on shore for a stroll. We soon saw some 

 plovers, and were in hopes of a second haul of grey plovers 

 eggs. After a time our Samoyede discovered a nest, but the 

 eggs in it were of a much lighter ground colour than those 

 we had found before. We waited and shot the bird, but 

 to our disappointment it turned out to be a golden plover. 

 We afterwards saw several more. We could not detect any 

 difference in the habits of the two species at the nest. We 

 secured a bean-goose off its nest with seven eggs, and were 

 very successful in finding nests of small birds. We took eggs 

 of reeve, ringed plover, willow-warbler, Lapland bunting, red- 

 throated pipit, blue-throated warbler, redwing, Temminck's 

 stint, and willow grouse. The redwing's nest contained six 

 eggs. It was in a willow about four feet from the ground. 

 Kedpoles were common, and oftener to be met with on the 

 ground than in the willow and birch bushes. The Lapland 

 bunting we constantly saw both running and hopping on the 

 ground. These charming birds were very tame and very 

 numerous. They perched freely in the bushes. They were 

 busily employed in the duties of incubation, and we rarely, if 

 ever, heard them sing. In Finmark I used to hear their song 

 constantly ; but then they were only just beginning to breed. 

 We saw many red-throated pipits, carrying flies in their 

 mouths, evidently destined to feed their young, and if we came 

 inconveniently near their nests, they would fly uneasily from 

 bush to bush. Near a couple of deserted turf huts we noticed 

 the white wagtail and the wheatear. Yellow-headed wagtail 



