9 DAN MEINERTZHAGEN'S DIARY. 



rounded by lots of low rocks, and lying on the 

 water between these were hundreds of Eiders 

 and Long-tailed Ducks, and also we passed 

 here a large flock of Velvet Scoters, and saw 

 some porpoises ; other birds we saw on the 

 journey were Oyster Catchers, Puffins, common 

 Guillemot, Raven, Gannet, Glaucous Gulls, 

 and a Sea Eagle which was soaring, in the 

 sunshine, over the ship. We saw its white 

 tail very plainly in the sunshine when it 

 turned away. 



April $tb. Still fine. We reach Bodo about 

 mid-day. Just outside a young Sea Eagle was 

 flopping about on the rocks within 20 yards of 

 the ship, mobbed by the Grey Crows. In the 

 afternoon there were about six hours of open 

 sea, which we thoroughly enjoyed. We saw 

 the Lofoten Islands when about 40 miles off, 

 covered with snow, and looking like clouds on 

 the horizon. We reached Svolvar about seven, 

 and the sun was setting behind the islands 

 and looked splendid ; in fact, I don't think I 

 ever saw a prettier and more imposing sunset. 

 The fishermen here had caught two million cod 

 during the few preceding days, and there was 

 consequently a " beano" going on. Nearly all 

 were drunk, and the place reeked of fish. Two 

 men, father and son, who were carried on board 



