568 



that it breeds chiefly on the fell-lakes in the southern portions of Norway, and is common on the 

 Dovre, the Gudbrandsdals, and Valders fells, and all the mountains branching out from them, as 

 also on the Langfells, in Aaseral down into Christiania Stift. North of the fell-range it is less 

 numerous, but breeds in East Finmark, on the Polmak Elf. Tt visits the southern and western 

 fiords on passage, and winters in large numbers all round the south coasts. Nilsson says that it 

 breeds in Swedish Lapland, and occasionally also far south in Sweden. He received eggs from 

 North-east Skane, which he believes to be those of this species ; and it certainly has bred on the 

 islands off Lj.ungby. Meves says that he found it breeding commonly on Oland near the coast. 

 Palmen says that on the whole it is rather rare in Finland, where it breeds in the far north, 

 arriving at its breeding-haunts early in June. Malm met with it in Enare up to 69° N. lat. ; 

 Grape records it from Enontekis ; Zetterstedt observed it at Wittanki, Von "Wright at Mukka- 

 vuoma ; and Wolley met with it on the fells near the Norwegian frontier. Elsewhere in Finland 

 it breeds only here and there. Nylander says that it breeds commonly on Karlo, outside 

 Uleaborg ; and Alcenius states that it breeds in the Gamla Karleby and Wasa districts, where 

 it is not rare on the coast and on the lakes. Von Wright believes that it breeds also in Eastern 

 Finland ; but it is only rare in the interior on passage, though it occurs regularly off Helsingfors 

 in the spring and autumn. 



In the north of Russia it appears to be common. I have received skins and eggs from 

 Archangel ; and in a small collection from there a curious pale variety, creamy brown in colour, 

 of the female Scaup was sent. Messrs. Seebohm and Harvie-Brown, who obtained specimens on 

 the Petchora river, write (Ibis, 1876, p. 444) as follows : — " On the 12th June, as we descended the 

 river, the flag at our masthead disturbed a number of Wild Swans on a pond behind a fringing 

 belt of willows. We landed; and while endeavouring to get a shot at another Swan upon 

 another pool adjoining, we had an opportunity of adding the present species to our list. Peeping 

 through the interstices of the willow-branches and old trunks, we saw a fine lot of Ducks 

 swimming peacefully about upon the pond or lagoon formed by the overflow of the river. 

 Before they were disturbed the seclusion and quiet of the place was perfect, reminding one of 

 the same sort of scene in a wildfowl-sanctuary at home. The same species of birds were there 

 too. Two Widgeons were in the foreground, the male occasionally whistling as he floated lazily 

 about ; a little further off were two Teal ; and up and down over the surface of the water were 

 a number of fine Scaup Ducks swimming in pairs or small parties, frequently uttering their 

 harsh cries. At the far end a solitary Swan floated, its head high, and its neck straight, already 

 on the qui vive. The Scaup Ducks shortly became suspicious, and swam up close together. The 

 Swan took the hint, and, beating the water with his wings, rose and flew off, followed by Scaups, 

 Widgeon, and Teal. We afterwards found the Scaup not uncommon in certain localities, but did 

 not meet with any further north than Yooshina. They did not appear to be abundant at 

 Alexievka, as the Zyriani only brought in one set of eggs and down." 



Mr. L. Sabanaeff informs me that the present species occurs in Central Russia and the Ural 

 range only on passage, and is somewhat rare ; but in Poland, according to Mr. Taczanowski, it is 

 common during migration, none remaining there to breed. On the coasts of North Germany, 

 Borggreve says, it is the commonest species, excepting Harelda glacialis, during the winter, and 

 hundreds are netted on the Baltic coasts. On fresh water it is rather more numerous than 



