CHAPTER XVIII. 



STANAVIALACHTA REVISITED. 



Second Visit to Stanavialachta — Peregrine Falcons — Plague of Mosqiaitoes 

 — Midnight on the Tundra — Nest of the Velvet Scoter — Little Feodor 

 sent in Quest of the Swan's Skin — A Russian Bath — Feodor's Return — 

 Identification of Eggs of Bewick's Swan — Mosquito Veils — Our Eighth 

 Nest of Grey Plovers — Our Servants — Our Ninth Nest of Grey Plovers 

 —The Tenth and Eleventh Nests. 



On the following morning, when my companion returned 

 from his watch at the swan's nest, which had turned out 

 a complete failure, we consulted with Piottuch as to what 

 was to be done. The swan had evidently forsaken her 

 nest. Time was rapidly flying, and we feared the 

 breeding season would be over before we had obtained 

 identified eggs of the smaller species. It did not appear 

 as if we could do anything at Alexievka ; we had evi- 

 dently yet to learn how swans could be trapped at their 

 nests on the Petchora ; and we came to the conclusion 



L 



