46 the zoologist. 



wind ; their nostrils were encrusted with ice, and ice had also 

 formed on the swimming membrane between their toes. From 

 the 23rd December the bay, as well as the sea on the whole 

 north side of the island, was frozen, in consequence of which 

 no birds were seen. On the south coast, where there was still 

 much water free from ice, a few Little Auks remained. On 

 Jan. 13th I saw a few examples near the shore, the ice having 

 scarcely gone. On Feb. 27th dead birds were again found after 

 a strong N.W. wind, as was also the case after a similar wind 

 on Dec. 23rd. A female on Feb. 27th had nearly fully developed 

 ovaries, and the largest eggs were a millimetre in diameter. On 

 April 21st birds were seen on the north coast of the island 

 in fair abundance. The noise made by these small creatures 

 can be heard at a great distance, and in consequence of its high 

 pitch drowns that of all other birds. On April 23rd birds arrived 

 in great flocks. Already, from May 2nd, the birds were to be 

 met with regularly in the Vogelberge and other breeding-places. 

 In the middle of June I found highly-incubated eggs, which were 

 deposited not only on the naked rock, but also on the ice 

 remaining in the crevices. I met, too, with many eggs which 

 were laid in former years and had not been hatched. This bird 

 lays only one light green egg, from which it allows itself to be 

 removed by the hand. On July 16th, besides eggs, young birds 

 were also met with. 



Fratercula arctica, L., var. glacialis, Leach, Northern Puffin. 

 • — On our attempt to reach Jan Mayen in the summer of 1882, 

 these birds were always the last we saw. Only in the closest 

 proximity of the island were they noticed more frequently. In 

 the spring I saw the first specimen, not before May 23rd ; after 

 this, however, as in the year before, pretty frequently, and 

 generally in small companies. Until the middle of July these birds 

 were still occupied with nest -building. The nest is built in a 

 cavity, or under a covered projection, or in a crevice, and is 

 formed of quills, which are deposited in several layers in a 

 circle, and nearly cover the site. On July 17th I picked up 

 the first egg ; no eggs were to be found in the other nests. On 

 July 23rd I found, in another spot, fairly incubated eggs. The 

 bird lays only one egg. All the specimens of this species, 

 fifteen in number, belong decidedly to the large northern variety 

 described by Di\ Bureau, in his monograph of the Mormonidce, 



