DAN MEINERTZHAGEN'S DIARY. 24 



There were some Sparrows at Skibotten, but 

 since then these are the first. 



This morning we crossed the river to the 

 post-office, and the postmaster showed us some 

 eggs of the Jer Falcon which were taken near 

 'Niska two years ago, but he wanted 15 kr. for 

 the four. He also says that the Cross Bills 

 are nesting already. 



The distance between Skibotten and here is 

 just over 200 miles, and we have done it in six 

 days' sledging. They say we should, have 

 taken three weeks instead of one if we had 

 started a week later, on account of the thaw. 

 At one house a woman showed us a female 

 Pine Grosbeak, frozen, which had been shot 

 in January. I met a man called Emil Kumputa, 

 of Hetta, who has promised to collect eggs for 

 me ; he has already taken four Goshawk's 

 eggs (i4th April). The apparently recognized 

 price for these eggs is 3 kr. each. 



We were told to-day that many years ago an 

 Englishman was murdered here, but the natives 

 don't remember either his name or the date. 

 We went for a long walk southwards this 

 evening, and Bob shot a Willow Grouse in 

 pure white plumage ; at least I presume it is one, 

 because of its size. They are in winter, however, 

 very similar to Ptarmigan ; structurally they 



