Notes on the Ornithology of Norway . 311 



ers on the ground upon the heaths of the north, we felt assured that 

 their nest must be in one of the trees, although we failed in our 

 endeavours to find it. Of this I have now no doubt, since I find by- 

 reference to Temminck that they breed in trees. 



Upon mentioning our surprise at the scarcity of the larger hawks, 

 we were told that they were now breeding far in the country, re- 

 mote from human dwelling places, and approachable only by seve- 

 ral days journey ov^er snow, and that they are seen only in the win- 

 ter, or accompanied by the great eagle owl, following and feasting 

 upon the amazing troops of the marmot, the periodical processions 

 of which are so wonderful : — all the information we could learn re- 

 specting them was, that they commonly come in the autumn, and 

 that the ground for a great space is completely covered with them. 



Of the owls we only saw two alive, the great eagle-owl and 

 the short-eared owl. Dead and nailed against the houses during 

 the previous winter, we had frequently the mortification of seeing 

 the former. 



The raven is in plenty upon the larger islands, and surprised us 

 by its tameness, contrasting with most other birds of the country, 

 and with its habits of extreme caution in our own. 



The hooded-crow is also abundant by the sea coast, in the rocks 

 of which it breeds. One nest which we found was in the cliffs of a 

 small island covered with sea gulls, in the very camp of its enemies, 

 which unceasingly torment and harass it. 



The magpie is one of the most abundant, as well as most inte- 

 resting, of the Norwegian birds, — noted for its sly cunning habits 

 here, its altered demeanour there is the more remarkable. It is 

 upon the most familiar terms with the inhabitants, picking close 

 about their doors, and sometimes walking inside their houses. It 

 abounds in the town of Drontheim, making its nest upon the 

 <;hurches and warehouses, We saw as many as a dozen of them 

 at one time seated upon the gravestones in the church-yard. Few 

 farm-houses are without several of them breeding under the eaves, 

 their nests supported by the spout. In some trees close to houses, 

 their nests were several feet in depth, the accumulation of years of 

 undisturbed and quiet possession. 



The inhabitants of Norway pleased us very much by the kind 

 feeling which they seemed to entertain towards them, as well as to 

 most species of birds, often expressing a hope that we would not 

 shoot many. Holes are cut in many of their buildings for the ad- 

 mission of the starlings, and pieces of wood are nailed agaiuvSt them 

 to support the nest of the house martin. At Christmas, that the 



