308



Mr. Richard Staple s-Browne,



As we neared Aalesund at noon on August 13th, several

lesser black-backs and some guillemots were visible, and, at some

little distance, I saw eight ducks, .but I was not near enough to

distinguish the species. In the afternoon we landed and climbed

the Axla, a small hill with a very extensive view. Here we found

several flocks of twites and a fine raven.


The next morning we found ourselves at Aandalsnaes on

the Romsdalsfjord. Here the lesser black-backs and herring gulls

were accompanied by several common gulls. After breakfast an

excursion was made by carriage up the Romsdal Valley as far as

Horgheim. The valley is extremely picturesque, and for the most

part well wooded, and is flanked by several noble peaks, among them

Romsdalslrorn and Troldtinder. White wagtails were very numerous,

especially at Horgheim, where I saw several young birds. The

hooded crow was very conspicuous, and once I saw a raven. There

were several swallows and blackbirds, and in a silver birch wood a

noisy fieldfare attracted my attention. Bramblings were common

in the valley, and at Horgheim I was pleased to see a siskin.


On rejoining the ship we returned to Molde where we arrived

about six o'clock. Here we saw several common terns, also a dark

skua, probably Richardson’s. Fourteen diving ducks were visible

at some distance. On landing we ascended to the Reckneshaugen, a

wooded park, from which a most magnificent view of the Moldefjord

is obtained. Several house martins were flying about the town.


At eight o’clock on the morning of the 15th we anchored at

Oje at the head of the Norangfjord. Several gulls were flying

round the ship, including the common gull. Our stay here was

very brief, and, after leaving, we steamed through the Norangfjord,

one of the most remarkable in Norway for the beauty of its mountain

scenery. On the bank I saw a sandpiper. Curiously enough, with

the exception of a heron, this was the only wading bird I caught

sight of during the whole cruise. The Norangfjord leads into the

Jorundfjord where we again enjoyed most superb scenery. In the

afternoon we arrived at Hellesylt to pick up passengers who had

driven overland from Oje, and then entered the Geirang'erfjord,

remarkable for its beautiful waterfalls, and at three o’clock anchored

at Marok.



