332 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



numerous about Keinovuopio, some fifteen miles below Kilpis- 

 jarvi, and here we obtained a nest with seven eggs on July 1st. 

 This was built in the reeds on the edge of a swampy pool, and 

 was almost immersed in the water. The bottom of the nest, 

 which resembled that of a Moorhen, was soaked, and there were 

 only two down-tufts, of a dark-brown colour. We identified the 

 female bird swimming near at hand. The eggs are small, and of 

 a dark greyish -green. 



The Common Scoter ((Edemia nigra) was abundant, and we 

 obtained two clutches of their eggs, which are of a beautiful 

 creamy-yellow tint. The Finns also recognised the Velvet 

 Scoter {(E.fusca), which we did not see. Last year I found 

 this species almost the commonest duck in Swedish Lapland, 

 just below the Arctic circle. 



The Goosander (Mergus merganser) is rare, but the Ked- 

 breasted Merganser (M. serrator) is extremely common, especially 

 in the neighbourhood of rapids; its Finnish name signifies 

 "rapid-bird." The Smew (M. albellus) is well known to the 

 Finns, chiefly from the value of its eggs ; there was no nest in 

 the district this year, and it is always very rare. 



The Willow Grouse, Ptarmigan, Hazel Hen, Black Grouse, 

 and Capercailzie all occur, but game birds were scarce this year. 



The Crane (Grus communis) seldom breeds so far north as 

 Kaaresuando, though it does so in the Muonioniska district, 

 where Wolley made his celebrated discovery of its nesting haunt. 



The Dotterel (Eudromias morinellus) breeds on the higher 

 grounds, and we observed it on July 23rd when crossing the 

 frontier on our way back. 



We found the Ringed Plover breeding in the neighbourhood 

 of Kaaresuando on July 8th. The Golden Plover was one of the 

 commonest birds on the Uoma, where its melancholy call was 

 heard all through the night. 



We obtained eggs of the Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus 

 hyperboreus) from Kaaresuando, but did not often meet with the 

 birds, which are known to the Finns as " Swimming Snipe." We 

 did not meet with the Great Snipe (Gallinago major), but obtained 

 eggs of the Jack Snipe (6r. gallinula) from the Finnish side of the 

 river at Kaaresuando, where there are some large marshes. We 

 failed to meet with the Broad -billed Sandpiper (Tringa platy- 

 rhyncha) ; the skulking habits of this bird render it extremely 



