43 DAN MEINERTZHAGEN'S DIARY. 



but the ice, except in the rapids and a few other 

 places, remains pretty thick. 



May jrd. I went up to the top of the fell 

 behind 'Niska to-day, which was a pretty good 

 toil. I got a pair of Jays, and a beautiful grey 

 squirrel. I found a large Hawk's nest, and a 

 Rough-legged Buzzard was flying about it 

 within shot, but I spared her for the eggs. 



Bob shot a Redwing, and another fine male 

 Golden Eye, and saw a Snipe arrive, chased by 

 a Merlin. I saw a pair of Pipits on the swamp 

 behind the town, but could not say for certain 

 whether they were "red-throated," or 

 ''meadow." 



We went and sat on the rocks by the rapids 

 this evening, and a finer sight could not be 

 imagined this huge river, 400 to 500 yards 

 across, rushing down between fir forests, and 

 with great blocks of ice being tossed about 

 like small pieces of wood ; and to add to the 

 charm of it a glorious sunset of gold and green, 

 and Pintail Ducks, and Golden Eyes, whisking 

 up the centre in pairs and small flocks. 



May 4th. Last night Nilas brought in a Jay 

 on her three eggs, nest and all. It seemed a pity 

 to kill her, but as 1 could not hope to get a 

 perfect skeleton otherwise, I determined to 

 transform her into one. The three eggs are 



