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On Bird Notes from the Fjords.



Stalheims-Klev, a steep rock about 800 feet high, up which we

climbed by a zigzag path. Here I saw some young robins and a

siskin, but the most remarkable feature of the bird-life of the cliff

was the enormous quantity of magpies there. I counted seventeen

visible at one time at the top, and we passed several others on the

way up and down.


We spent the following day in Bergen, and on the morning

of the 20th called at Tysse on our way to the well-known Hardan-

gerfjord. In this fjord I saw five porpoises. Among birds I noticed

a gannet, a Greater black-backed gull, some common terns and a

skua. Also I saw three Red-throated divers at noon. The herring

gulls here were remarkable for their large size. We touched at

Norheimsund in the afternoon, and in the evening arrived at Sundal,

where I noticed a heron.


Our last day in Norway was spent at Odda, whence we drove

to the Lotefos, a grand waterfall. The road passed by Sandven

Lake on which was a large flock of young Lesser black-backs,

swallows and martins were present. There were several hooded

crows and many magpies, but here I only counted six together at

one time. Once I heard the note of a jay.


I must not conclude this account without a brief reference

to the magnificent collection of Norwegian birds in the Museum

at Bergen. The line series of nutcrackers and w 7 axwings attract

the eye, also the eiders and King eiders. There are some nice

specimens of the Snowy owl and the Ivory gull, also a beautiful

series of Norwegian Game birds, including some interesting hybrids.

Mention of Game birds reminds me that never during my stay in

Norway did I see one alive. Possibly they were on the high fjeld

with the Elk, which a local sportsman informed me are “ always

upstairs in August.”


Photos by Mrs. Staples-Browne:—


1. In the Romsdal.


2. The Moldefjord.


3. The Geirangerfjord.


4. The Geiranger basin.


5. The Naerodal from Stalheims-Klev.


6. The Lotefos.



