254 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 
eggs, though all had been newly made up. There were 
many old sleigh tracks about the sand to show the reason 
why young gulls of this species were so rare at Scharok. 
Three handsome goosanders were fishing off the bank. 
July 26th.—We got back to the boat, which we found 
well out of reach of the tide, at 3.30 a.m., and collecting 
a few little sticks and bits of dry seaweed, managed to 
make a tiny fire with which we warmed some Liebig. 
Then with sunken logs we improvised some extra 
anchors for the boat, and with food, guns, and old Sailor, 
travelled south once more for further explorations. 
The sun was brilliant, and the glaucous gulls looked 
lovely as they sat about the nests. One Arctic morning 
such as this repays you well for the gloom and unkind- 
ness of many days. 
Two miles along the bank we found a large pine-tree 
drifted. Here we made a fine fire and went to sleep. 
Soon after 10 a.m. I woke to find a chill fog and the sun 
fighting it. I roused Hyland, and while he made up the 
fire and warmed some brent goose, I walked back again 
to see to the boat; for I had been fearing she might 
have been lifted by the tide. But she was safe. 
A large flock of common scoters were diving in the 
tideway. They preserved the most perfect order. First 
the leading bird dived, then the next, and so on till all 
were under water. Then rising they would all crowd 
up together, and again string out and dive as before. 
