TO RUSSIA AND BACK. II 
“Moscow! Moscow!” was taken up by the foremost ranks 
and carried to the rear of his army. 
On the 13th I got a Spotted Crake, a Sclavonian Grebe, 
and a young Ruff;* and took a peep into the celebrated 
Riding-school, 560 feet in length, supposed to be the 
largest room in the world. Here in the winter two 
regiments of Russian cavalry can manceuvre at the same 
time, when the intense cold does not permit of their going 
through their exercises out of doors. 
I had failed in seeing the birdstuffer at St. Petersburgh, 
M. Dode, though I made his acquaintance in London in 
the spring of 1871, but I was more fortunate at Moscow. 
Taxidermy is not a lucrative trade there, and I cannot say 
much for the way in which a Dipper and a Little Gull were 
mounted. The latter was in very complete nuptial plumage, 
and I believe they breed near Moscow. 
On the 14th I bought a Garganey Teal and a Nyroca 
Duck. For the latter I was charged one hundred “ copeks,” 
equivalent to a “rouble” or three shillings in English money. 
Afterwards the birdstuffer’s wife came to me with the 
following birds—White-breasted Nuthatch (Sztta europea, 
Lin.), Jay, Golden-crested Wren, Chaffinch, Thrush, Willow 
Wren, Crested Titmouse, Marsh Titmouse (Parus borealis ), 
and Blue Titmouse. The latter was a remarkably pale 
light-coloured specimen, but several of the best Ornitholo- 
gists to whom I have shown it consider it to be merely a 
variety. 
September 15th.—A Shoveller Duck at the market. 
16th—A very wet day. Picked out from among a lot 
of other wild-fowl a nestling Nyroca Duck, not half fledged. 
The market is a famous place for Double Snipes; basketsful 
* In 1871, in the early part of the summer, I am informed a drove of 
sixty old Ruffs were seen at Hickling Broad (in Norfolk), yet there 
were only two nests, I hear, and, sad to say, the eight young birds were 
all shot. 
