BIRDS OF IVIGTUT. 



25 



I was not able to determine, while the third column gives 

 the number of the gray-colored birds. 



That their abundance in winter varies with the weather 

 I am not in a position to decide, but think that more prob- 

 ably depends on the number and the movements of the Ptar- 

 migans, their principal food at that season.' 



In the winter I used to take my Pigeons out every day, 

 so that when .Falcons came in sight I might induce them to 

 come within shooting-range ; but I have to confess that, 

 owing to tlieir great swiftness, I much oftener missed than 

 hit them. The young Pigeons sought security almost any- 

 where, even in the sitting-room ; but the old birds often 

 tried to escape by rising in the air, sometimes flying so 

 high that both Pigeon and Falcon were for a time lost to 

 sight ; and so swift and skilled on the wing were they that 

 T did not lose a single Pigeon. Occasionally the Falcons 



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