484 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Ptarmigan, which I have submitted (together with such plants as 

 I collected) to Prof. Oliver, of Kew. He has kindly written me 

 word that the " dominant remains belong apparently to Cerastium 

 and Draba." I have since had the remains sown, but so far there 

 has been no result. 



Purple Sandpiper, Tringa maritima, Linn. — Twice during the 

 afternoon of August 29th, just after we had cleared the coast of 

 Norway, a Purple Sandpiper flew close round the smack and 

 seemed to wish to alight on board, suggesting the idea that it 

 might be tired after migration from Spitzbergen. This species 

 formed an exception to the general rule, and was perhaps seen 

 in larger numbers than in 1881, though it may have been owing 

 to the fact that having found out that they were excellent eating 

 (as good as Snipe they seemed to us) we rather cultivated their 

 acquaintance, instead of ignoring their presence, for oddly enough 

 they stood the indifferent cuisine of our smack better than larger 

 birds ; our largest bag being three dozen, shot in Recherche Bay, 

 Sept. 22nd. 



Arctic Tern, Sterna macrum, Naum. ; Norwegian, "Tenne" 

 (Dictionary, " Terne "). — About a dozen on Sept. 1st, near Bear 

 Island ; a good many — almost all adults — in Green Harbour on 

 Sept. 9th, after which I have no note of so much as a single 

 Tern, and have no recollection of seeing any. 



Kittiwake, Rissa tridactijla, Linn.; Norwegian, "Krykja" 

 (Dictionary, "Krykke"). — Though not otherwise than common, 

 were nothing like so numerously or generally distributed as on 

 my former voyage. On several days none at all were seen, and 

 on others only " one or two" to " a few." 



Glaucous Gull, Larus glaucus, Gm. ; Norwegian, " Graa- 

 Maake," " Stor-Maake" (pronounced "Maase"). — A good many 

 seen when near Bear Island on Sept. 1st, a large majority being 

 young of the previous year. Two or three off Edge's Land on 

 the 5th. A few seen at intervals during the rest of the time we 

 were in Spitzbergen, the last being two immature specimens on 

 Sept. 30th, when at sea in about lat. 73°. A bird of the year, 

 which was slightly wounded by M. Rabot in Recherche Bay on 

 Sept. 24th, was kept on board alive, and taken home by M. Rabot 

 on his return to Paris, and presented by him to the Jardin des 

 Plantes, where, as he lately wrote me word, it continues to 

 flourish. 





