Birds. 8941 
birds are pretty numerous, and not confined to the mere mountain 
tops, as are their brethren in Scotland and other parts of Europe, but 
may be found in almost all places where berries grow. 
Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus, Linn.) Rare in Iceland, though 
apparently a resident there. 
Coot (Fulica atra, Linn.) [Very rare. ] 
Lapwing ( Vanellus cristatus, Meyer). Occasionally wanders to the 
south-west portion of the island, chiefly in autumn. 
Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis, Linn.) Quite the commonest 
bird in Iceland, and of great use to the traveller, who by its means 
often obtains a good meal in the desert. 
Ringed Plover (Aegialites hiaticula, Linn.) Not rare on the sea- 
coast and on some of the moors in the interior. 
Turnstone (Strepsilas interpres, Linn.) Arrives in Iceland about 
the last week in April; and I have little doubt breeds there, for 
Mr. Proctor has received its unmistakeable eggs from the north. 
Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus, Linn.) More common in 
the south than in the north. 
Gray Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius, Linn.) In 1858 I dis- 
covered two pairs on a lake, but in a few days afterwards they had 
disappeared, and they certainly did not remain to breed there that year. 
Rednecked Phalarope (Phalaropus hyperboreus, Linn.) Very com- 
mon all over the island on all ponds and lakes. Arrives late in May, 
and at once begins the duties of nidification. On one occasion, in the 
month of June, I saw a flock of at least a hundred sitting on the surf, 
between the breaking waves and the shore. 
Redshank (Totanus calidris, Linn.) Very commonly met with 
throughout the island. Arrives about the middle of April, and, 
according to Faber, some remain till the end of the year. 
Blacktailed Godwit (Zimosa egocephala, Linn.) Arrives the last 
week in April, according to Faber. 
Ruoff (Philomachus pugnazx, Linn.) Faber records a single instance 
of the occurrence of this bird in Iceland, a female, near Reykjavik, at 
the beginning of September, 1820. 
Knot (Tringa Canutus, Linn.) On the south-west coast it is very 
well known as a bird of passage. One morning, at the end of May, 
1858, I found the shore at Kyrkjuvogr literally alive with a large flock 
of knots, all in their beautiful red plumage. ‘There had been none 
there the day before. They stayed about a week, their numbers 
gradually diminishing, until at last only two or three were to be seen. 
_ Purple Sandpiper (7. maritima, Gmel.) Common everywhere in 
