Bird Notes from the Fjords.



307



A quotation which the same author makes from the MS. of

Herman Law, in regard to the occurrence of the bird in Southern

Queensland, seems to indicate that the habit is not quite universal,

because bowers are there mentioned as being decorated with “Yellow

and blue Lory Parrots’ feathers,” etc.


This bower-bird’s liking for blue is evidently well established,

however, and is worthy of attention.



BIRD NOTES FROM THE FJORDS.


By Richard Staples-Browne.


I have come across some rough notes on birds, scribbled in a

Baedeker, during a cruise in the Fiords in August 1912. They are

a pleasant reminder of the species which I happened to see during

the few days I was in Norwegian waters. The country is, doubt¬

less, well-known to a very large number of our members, and, since

the Editor and Council appeal for “ copy” even of a trivial nature,

I venture to publish the notes in the hope that they may remind

others of their own rambles.


A “ yachting cruise de luxe,” although a popular and enjoy¬

able way of spending a few days in the summer, scarcely gives

opportunities for learning much about the country, inhabitants, or

fauna. In this case nine days only were spent in Norway, including

one in the town of Bergen, and, as the steamer stopped at seventeen

places, the time allowed at each was naturally very limited. I

returned to England with a great desire to see Norway more

thoroughly, which, up to the present I have been unable to gratify.


On the outward journey, from Leith to Aalesund, the North

Sea was remarkable only for rough weather and a strong head wind

which delayed us considerably. On the Bass Rock there were, as

usual, a large quantity of gannets and a few herring gulls, the

latter keeping together by themselves. The ship was followed by

herring gulls, lesser black-backs, and kittiwakes, but only the

herring gulls were visible during the second day of the voyage.

On the return, from Sundal to Grimsby, we crossed the Dogger

Bank, steaming through the fishing fleet. Here a shag accompanied

us for some little distance, and herring gulls were visible all day.



