NO. 4.] THE SLEDGE-JOURNEY AND FRANZ JOSEF LAND. 



Branta bemicla, (Lin.) 1766. 



It is probable that this species has breeding-places both in the middle and 

 northern parts of Franz Josef Land. On September 6th (1895), two of them 

 were seen flying over the winter hut, (on Frederick .lackson Island) in a south- 

 easterly direction. On June 1st, 1896, during the journey south from the 

 winter hut, on Mary Elizabeth Island, were seen a quantity of excrements 

 and empty egg-shells from the previous year, evidently belonging to this species. 

 The island, called "Goose Island" in Nansen's journal, is flat, and the ground 

 is to some extent composed of mud and gravel, and is in places covered with 

 moss and other vegetation. (81° 7' N. Lat.). 



On June 5th, 1896, two brent geese were seen sitting on the shore-ice at 

 Gape Richthofen. 



Some of these birds were also seen during the stay at Cape Flora, in 

 June and July, 1896, but no breeding-places were found there. 



Somateria mollissima, (Lin.) 1766. 



On only one occasion was this species observed on Franz Josef Land. 

 A flock of six specimens was seen (simultaneously with the two Branta 

 hernicla) swimming in the open water near the shore at Cape Richthofen, on 

 June 5th, 1896. The flock included individuals of both sexes (80° 46' N. Lat.). 



Sterna macrura, Naum. 1819. 



Two or three specimens were seen in the vicinity of Hvidtenland, on the 

 7th August, 1895, (on the north side of Liv Island), in 81 ° 42' N. Lat. 



This was the only time that this species was observed during the sledge- 

 journey in 1895. 



In June and July, 1896, several specimens were seen near Cape Flora. 

 A pair seemed to be breeding somewhere in this neighbourhood, although 

 no nest was found. 



Bissa tridactyla, (Lin.) 1766. 



During the sledge-journey, this species was seen frequently. 



The first specimen in the spring, 1895, was observed on June 13th, m 



