NOJt IV A Y 69 



close to or at Smedalsbjerg, the mountain just above the 

 soeter at Smedalsvand. He saw both birds and knows the 

 nest is in Smedalsbjerg. To-morrow I shall go and take, 

 or see it taken, while Alston will have a hard day's work 

 at home skinning and blowing. 



Both the Kough-legs shot to-day are sadly mauled ; 

 mine by the concussion against the rock, and Lar's by a 

 huge bullet w r ound from his rifle. 



We also received from Lars the Snow Bunting's nest 

 and eggs, and the bird, which has the appearance of 

 having been shot with a bullet also ! ! The nest is perfect 

 and the eggs lovely. 



He also brought us eleven eggs of Ptarmigan w r hich he 

 found to-day on [place not named]. These eggs were 

 wonderfully packed by Lars in his spare stockings, 

 gloves, etc. 



June 23. 



On Friday, the 23rd of June, a fine day, we breakfasted 

 at 8.30 a.m., and then I started, in company with Ole, 

 Lars, and Peder, for the rock where Lars shot the Rough- 

 legged Buzzard yesterday, Smedalsbjerg, above the lower 

 end of Smedalsvand. We rowed across the foot of the 

 lake, which is now almost clear of ice, in a horridly leaky 

 boat, which kept us baling all the way over. 



We climbed up the slope to the nest and saw the $ bird 

 flying about and crying loudly. We found the nest. I 

 climbed up b}' a green slope to above the nest, Peder 

 giving me a helping hand with the rope, and I taking my 

 gun for the chance of a shot, but the bird was too wild 

 and would not come near us at all. Ole now came up, and 

 Peder went with his usual jaunty step down into the nest, 

 having, however, this time the rope round him. 



The nest \vas about 10 feet below the edge of the rock, 

 and Peder let himself over by doubling the rope as before. 

 He was soon up again with two eggs. The nest was not 



