13 DAN MEINERTZHAGEN'S DIARY. 



I was horrified to find that all the tobacco I 

 brought from England had turned mouldy, and 

 had to buy some more here, which is very 

 good and cheap. I only paid n kr. for 4 Ibs. 

 of the best, and I think they are larger than 

 English pounds, for the parcel containing the 

 tobacco is as big as my body. 



Our future guide, whose full name is Isak 

 Gustav Eriksen, is a half-bred Finn, his mother 

 being a Swede. 



1 heard yesterday a cooing noise coming from 

 the direction of the King Eiders, and Bob who 

 saw them near to-day, says the males fight for 

 the females, and it is then that they make this 

 peculiar note. He says the male swims about 

 in front of the female, stretching his neck 

 out, and assuming various attitudes, cooing 

 all the while, until another male comes up 

 and shows fight, and the victor then begins 

 cooing again. The wind is rising and I'm 

 afraid we shall not be able to go out in a boat 

 to-morrow. 



Tromso, *April 8th. To-day it is blowing a 

 gale and our fisherman-hunter came and told us 

 it was useless going out. I am getting my 

 great coat lined with red fox skin, and have 

 bought in the town 12 skins, very good ones, 

 which, when cured, will cost about 12 kr. apiece. 



