THE ZooLocist—SEPTEMBER, 1872. 3211 
are, even at the end of summer, of the most spring-like green. 
* %* * There is, indeed, a great show of green, and in some 
places plenty of good grass; but generally there is a large propor- 
tion of Carices, Juncacex, and other plants, on a thin covering of 
peaty soil, and these afforded food to wild geese and swans during 
the summer in former times. Insects are in small numbers, but 
not so few but that a snow bunting can get a good mouthful for its 
young; snipes, too, are well pleased with their entertainment. 
Lakes are not numerous, but there are a few which satisfy the 
wants of the common wild duck (Anas boschas), and also of the 
redthroated diver (Colymbus septentrionalis), and they serve as 
fresh-water baths to continued flocks of kittiwakes. There is no 
heather that could be sufficient for the red grouse (Tetrao lagopus) 
no tree or even a shrub of a foot in height.” 
The naturalist in Feroe will not be greeted with the sight of 
many species of birds, but his interest will be aroused in contem- 
plating the extraordinary numbers of some of those which make 
these islands their home during the period of reproduction. 
It is said that the sea-birds have greatly decreased during this 
century, and doubtless such is the case ; for, besides the increased 
drain on the Fuglebergs owing to the extension of population, 
every fishing-boat which puts to sea carries a gun, which is used 
indiscriminately, in and out of the breeding season, against every 
fowl large enough for food; and if it were not for the wise Jaws 
which protect the sea-fowl in their breeding places, the enormous 
rock bird-nurseries of Fxroe would ere this have been made 
desolate. The countless multitudes of puffins (Mormon fra- 
tercula), guillemots (Uria troztle), and kittiwakes (L. tridactylus), 
must be seen to be believed; and the numbers of oystercatchers 
(Hematopus ostralegus), whimbrel (Numenius pheopus), and 
golden plover (Charadrius pluvialis), nesting throughout the 
islands is astonishing. 
The number of species that have been procured in Feroe as 
mere stragglers is large, but not greater than the position of the 
islands would warrant, whilst the absence of truly North-American 
types is remarkable, only two, the Canada goose (Bernicla cana- 
densis) and the cuneate-tailed gull (R. Rossz), having as yet been 
recorded. This must be partly owing to the want of competent 
observers ; for, with the exception of that excellent ornithologist 
Herr Miiller, there is no one resident in the islands who takes 
