228 Mr. H. E. Dresser— The late Dr. Walter's 



XVII. — On the late Dr. Walter's Ornithological Researches 

 in the Taimyr Peninsula. By H. E. Dresser, F.Z.S. 



A most important paper has recently been published in 

 Russia, in the 'Annuaire dn Musee Zool. de FAcad. Imp. 

 des Sciences de St. Petersbourg/ entitled " Ornithologische 

 Beobachtungen an der westlichen Taimyrhalbinsel, vom 

 September 1900 bis August 1901." The author was the late 

 Dr. H. Walter, who unfortunately died during the expedi- 

 tion at Kotelny Island, on the 21st of December, 1902. 

 Dr. Walter was medical attendant and ornithologist on board 

 the exploring-vessel ' Sarja.' This vessel was frozen in and 

 wintered on the north-west coast of the Taimyr Peninsula in 

 76° 68' N. lat. and 95° 9' E. long., from the 13/26 September, 

 1900, to the 11/24 August, 1901, affording to Dr. Walter an 

 excellent opportunity for collecting specimens of birds and 

 eggs. Thus Dr. Walter succeeded in taking eggs and young 

 in down of the Sanderling (Calidris arenaria), Curlew-Sand- 

 piper (Tringa subarquata), and Knot (T. canutus), the eggs 

 of the last being especially valuable, as they are the first well- 

 authenticated specimens yet obtained. I give the following- 

 abbreviated translation of Dr. Walter's notes on the twenty- 

 nine species of birds obtained and observed on this occasion, 

 but the particulars relating to the Knot, Sanderling, and 

 Curlew-Sandpiper are translated in extenso. I may remark 

 that it is stated that all the eggs and youug in down were 

 most carefully identified, as in every case the parent birds 

 were shot and preserved. 



1. Colymbus septentkionalis was found breeding numer- 

 ously, chiefly in July. 



2. Colymbus adamsi was not uncommon, arriving on the 

 19 June, but neither eggs nor young birds were seen. 



3. Branta bernicla was the only Goose found breeding 



numerously. It was first seen on the ' \ <Y . and com- 



J 10 June' 



menced to leave on the 6/19 August. The first nest, con- 

 taining two fresh eggs, was found on the 8/21 June. 



4. Anser sp. inc. — Birjula twice saw a grey Goose in June 

 and July, but could not say of what species it was. 



