FETCH OR A 269 



Redpolls were also common amongst the scrub in 

 small parties or singly, or beginning to go in pairs. The 

 males are now assuming a beautiful carmine tinge on the 

 breast. 



Hooded Crows were seen on the snow of the river 

 below us, dodging carefully round three or four dogs 

 which were quarrelling over a bone, and occasionally 

 getting chased by the dogs. 



Magpies were abundant, seemingly also temporarily 

 beguiled from the gaiety of Ust Zylma by the attractions 

 of country life caused by the thaw. 



We begin to realise the change a thorough thaw will 

 make in the town ; already the paddocks and streets are 

 one mass of manure ; and pools of dark brown liquid 

 stand often in dangerous proximity to the wells from 

 which the natives draw water for domestic uses. No 

 wonder we soon learn the reason why the unfiltered or 

 unboiled water, if too freely used, produces tapeworm, as 

 we were informed by Captain Engel that it does. 



Piottuch returned about midday, before we went out, 

 after a long walk, and reported upon the present naked- 

 ness of the land as regards bird life, only having seen two 

 species of Tit, and shot four Snow Buntings dans les 

 arbres, as Piottuch designates the forest-land. 



To-night Piottuch, bent on exploration, accompanied 

 M. Znaminsky to Ijrna, and if he finds plenty of birds 

 will remain for a day or two.* 



April 21. 



On Wednesday, the 21st of April, the sun was very 

 powerful, and the dark patches on the hillsides were 

 increasing in size. We crossed the main branch of the 

 river, and seeing some birds amongst some willows, 



-' He returned on the 24th, having only seen one Goshawk and 

 one Peregrine. 



