BIRDS OF RUSSIAN LAPLAND 63 



we again started inland to search for the lake without success, but we 

 did find three sheets of water varying in size from a tarn to a small 

 lake and lying nearly on the same level, in about the position where 

 the lake is shown on the chart. I can only suppose that the person 

 "who described that lake had visited the island just after a heavy 

 spring thaw when a flood had joined the three lakes into one. I 

 heard afterwards that the Russians had also endeavoured to find the 

 lake, but without success. 



Hetley had considerable arrears of skinning to make up, so I 

 landed with two of the men. A few Herring and Great Black-backed 

 Gulls, Terns, and an Oyster-catcher were on the shore, while some 

 twenty or thirty Snow-Buntings were flying about the face of one of 

 the terraces apparently pairing ; but not another bird did we see during 

 our walk. We climbed up slope after slope, crossing much recent 

 snowdrift in which we sank above our knees, and making towards the 

 N.w. where the island is widest. At last we reached an elevation of 

 nearly 1000 feet which gave an extended view over a considerable 

 stretch of country. Where the wind had swept the ridges clear of 

 snow the stones were thickly coated with ice. The whole presented 

 the most desolate winter picture, and this on May 28th! The only 

 relieving feature was a herd of tame reindeer on the upper fells who 

 allowed me to photograph them at a distance of fifty yards (Plate 23). 

 This was done with half the lens so that they appear considerably 

 nearer. Only three retained last year's horns, probably females. The 

 principal bulls had new horns half grown, and the others were in 

 various stages of lesser development. Several snowstorms passed over 

 during our walk, and gave splendid cloud effects over the sea and 

 mainland. 



Four of the crew paid a visit to the Norwegians after our return, 

 and were told that no geese breed here, they only visit the island on 

 migration ; but I think from what I afterwards saw that a few come 

 across from the mainland to feed during the summer. 



May 2gth. — As there was a high N.w. wind all day with showers of 



