BIRDS OF RUSSIAN LAPLAND 87 



Redwing. Half the nests were in juniper bushes, others in birch 

 trees. Near these a Redwing's nest also had six eggs slightly in- 

 cubated. We found here the first nest of the Mealy Redpoll this 

 season, with four eggs, placed in a juniper bush. Both birds came 

 close to me, and the female settled on the nest several times while I 

 was blowing the eggs six feet off. 



We saw a few Bramblings, one Snipe, ten Velvet Scoters, and two 

 or three small duck, apparently Teal. Many Willow- Wrens were sing- 

 ing round us, and some other birds whose notes I did not know. No 

 Rough-legged Buzzards were seen all night. I have been much struck 

 with the absence of these birds this year. In 1895 we found seven 

 nests in seven days, while in 1 90 1 we never saw a new nest, although 

 we covered a far larger extent of country ; and only two or three birds 

 were met with, some of these being probably the same bird seen twice. 

 It is very certain that no complete idea can be formed of the bird-life 

 of any of these northern countries from the results of one summer 

 alone. The lake was quite clear from ice to-day ; and yellow violas, 

 which had not opened yesterday, were in flower round ov;r landing- 

 place. 



Plate 34 represents our camp at Lutni, which was photographed 

 to-day. The tent on the left was that we occupied, and is described 

 in the Appendix. The hold- all in front of Kjeldsen's tent contains our 

 bedding, which was strapped up every morning to prevent its getting 

 damp. The iron chimney belongs to a small Norwegian stove of the 

 pattern used in Norway on the fishing boats ; this stove proved a 

 great comfort. Near it is a wooden box lined with zinc, most useful 

 for keeping provisions. 



June I yth. — Another long walk to-night on the Lutni side of the 

 river gave very slight results for some hours. When returning I put a 

 Wheatear off seven fresh eggs, the nest being under a stone close to the 

 Russian's path from the lake. Then Hetley walked on to a Willow- 

 Grouse with twelve handsomely marked eggs. As soon as we sat 

 down the bird returned and stood within twenty feet quietly watching 



