360 TRAVELS OF A NATURALIST 



and wishing to thoroughly identify them, I had unfor- 

 tunately shot the bird. 



A few Gulls (Larus cacMnnans) and Common Gull 

 were flying about, but we did not get good chances of 

 procuring specimens. A small Owl (probably Tengmalm's) 

 perched on the top of one of the poles upon which the hay 

 is stacked in autumn, but did not allow an approach 

 within range. Pintails were seen, and Wigeon were 

 abundant, and one Wood Sandpiper was seen. The 

 latter bird appears to be getting scarcer as we go north. 



June 14. 



On Monday, the 14th of June, we stayed till about 

 two o'clock, and then proceeded. The day was very warm 

 indeed after the rain. 



The new bird seen to-day was the Arctic Tern. 



In the forenoon I shot a Hare, and Seebohm found 

 a Wigeon's nest. 



As we slowly floated down the stream we saw few 

 birds. Three Swans glided for a long distance in front of 

 us, and an occasional Wigeon or Common Scoter flew 

 past. 



We passed through a labyrinth of islands, mostly covered 

 with alder and willow, with occasional clumps of tall 

 birch. The larch and pine tops on the fast land on the 

 right bank of the river were visible over the small alders, 

 but the trees on the fast land, or true left bank of the 

 river, were not visible. 



About 6.30 p.m. we stopped at a place called Chuvinski 

 Ostrov for dinner (fish, cold meat, rusks, and capital 

 milk). While the fish was being prepared Seebohm and 

 I took a little stroll inland, and had the good luck to 

 shoot two Three-toed Woodpeckers and find the nest with 

 three young and one egg in a birch-tree. Feodor, the 

 half-breed (Samoyede x Russian) felled the tree for us. 



