60 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



silent. Immediately after twelve the light improved, and the 

 "tack tack" of a King Ouzel was heard. The influence of con- 

 tinuous daylight upon the routine of bird-life in the far north is 

 worthy of further study. On July 25th we noted the Ring Ouzel 

 on the top of a rocky bluff near Svolvaer. 



Phylloscopus trochilus. — We share Mr. Aplin's view as to the 

 Willow Wren being the most numerous bird at Tromso. In 

 mid- July many pairs were feeding young which had just left the 

 nest. But the song was to be heard daily all through the month, 

 while in this country the bird is silent for about three weeks 

 before recommencing with its quiet summer song early in August. 

 Thus I noted that the Willow Wren was still singing at Svolvaer 

 on July 25th, and again at Bergen on the 30th. 



Sylvia atricapilla. — On July 13th a Blackcap was singing 

 in a sheltered gully on the lower slopes of Floifjeld. Its 

 presence seemed in keeping with the luxuriant vegetation of 

 this favoured spot. Birch and mountain-ash hung from the 

 steep banks of the little ravine, where water from the melting 

 snow-patches above trickled over sheets of moss, amongst which 

 grew Parnassia, Geum rivale, and quantities of that delicate and 

 beautiful fern, Cystopteris montana. There were patches of a 

 tall white-flowered umbellifer, and the rest was a rank jungle of 

 meadow-sweet, wood-cranesbill, great valerian, and the blue 

 alpine sow-thistle. The only sound beside the Blackcap's song 

 was the note of a Northern Marsh Tit, which was busily investi- 

 gating the rotten birch-stumps, some of which showed the marks 

 of its bill. And all this in the latitude of Disco Island, and far 

 north of Iceland! On the morning of the 17th I heard another 

 Blackcap at Lyngseidet. 



Parus borealis. — The Northern Marsh Tit was ranging the 

 woods in family parties. The usual call is the familiar " chee 

 chee chee " of our own bird, but on Grindo one puzzled me for a 

 time by making use of a fresh note. In many places this species 

 had been pecking and digging into the old birch-stumps. 



Muscicapa atricapilla.— I saw a male Pied Flycatcher perched 

 on a rail at Lyngseidet early on the morning of the 17th. 



M. grisola. — Its note called my attention to a Spotted Fly- 

 catcher at the same time and place as the last. Lyngseidet would 

 appear to be a favourite locality with the smaller birds. 



