BIRDS OF RUSSIAN LAPLAND 39 



always look brighter and handsomer because the lichens are clean, a 

 state in which the Chaffinch can rarely obtain them in our smoke- 

 grimed country of England. 



A hot morning had made us wish for lighter clothes ; in the 

 afternoon the weather changed, as foretold by the halo the day before, 

 to cold fog. To add to our discomfort the boat stuck on several 

 sandbanks during the return voyage, and we were thoroughly wetted 

 by the waves breaking over us. 



July 1st. — The halo weather continued, a dull cold day with north 

 wind and occasional rain. After packing stores, &c., for our expe- 

 dition inland, I went up the hills on the west side, over the lake 

 visited on the 29th. A Wheatear's nest with five fresh eggs was 

 found under some stones at an elevation of 5 00 feet ; the nest was 

 made of fine grass lined with plenty of feathers, chiefly those of the 

 Willow-Grouse. As the Grouse and Ptarmigan are almost the only 

 species which undergo a spring moult while in the north, they 

 provide nearly all the feathers available for small birds to line their 

 nests with. From the top of the hill (700 feet) a good view was 

 obtained of the lake ; ice still covered all but the narrow part at the 

 bottom and a small piece at the upper end where the river entered. 

 There were two smaller lakes higher up the valley. Snow covered 

 most of the hills in sight, and the whole scene looked more like early 

 spring than July. 



On going down into the scrub near the lower part of the lake, 

 I solved the mystery respecting the Temminck's Stints ; there they 

 were, nesting among quite a thick growth of birch. There were many 

 birds about, but I only had time to find one nest, for it was an end- 

 less process to watch these little mouse-like creeping birds, where we 

 could only see a few yards in any direction. Even when the position 

 of the nest was known within two feet, I did not see it at first ; for 

 the spot chosen was unusual, and the four eggs harmonised so well 

 with their surroundings. A slight hollow between two young birch 

 stems, which only allowed room for the bird to sit comfortably, had 



