BIRDS OF RUSSIAN LAPLAND 135 



time we were at work, sometimes within a yard of our heads. Lapp 

 Tits are amongst the prettiest of the family. We then went to 

 another nest of the same species we had found on the 29th. This 

 was in a much smaller fir in a marsh, and only five feet from the 

 ground. It contained three eggs, and was made of similar materials 

 to the last. 



In the country on the north side of the hill we had climbed last 

 night, we found birds more plentiful, as they generally are on this 

 aspect during the breeding season. The only nest we saw was a 

 Rough-legged Buzzard's in a dead fir that looked very doubtful as to 

 its power to bear a man's weight ; but it stood the strain, and the five 

 eggs were brought safely to ground. 



June 1st. — A Lesser Black-backed Gull arrived to-day and hunted 

 over the river some time for fish. As the nesting season was ad- 

 vancing rapidly, we were anxious to push on to our headquarters at 

 Pulozero, and decided to leave Kitsa to-day, in spite of three cases of 

 provisions still remaining at Tschongai. This afterwards proved a mis- 

 take, for they contained some important items, and it was a long time 

 before we recovered them. It is a golden rule, that should never be 

 departed from on these expeditions, always to see the whole of your 

 possessions in front. All behind is beyond control and may not be 

 seen again. 



The river is navigable for two versts above Kitsa, and then a 

 series of rapids necessitates a walk of three versts ; after which there 

 is an uninterrupted stretch of the river for fifteen versts up to 

 Murdozero. This stretch of water is called Murdozero lake, but much 

 of it is really little more than a wide part of the river, and there is a 

 distinct current all the way. The first boatload left Kitsa at i p.m. 

 Musters and I crossed the Kitsa river (which had fallen more than 

 two feet since our arrival), and walked to the point above the rapids. 

 Considerable delay was caused by the men having to go three times 

 with loads over the portage, so that it was 9.30 p.m. before the work 

 was finished. While we were waiting for them, a Russian came down 



