EXPEDITION TO THE NORTH OF ICELAND. 407 



I found these birds, and bring back more conclusive evidence, I think 

 the bird will eventually be considered new. 



Hornemann's Redpoll, Acanthis hornemanni. (No Icelandic name.) 

 According to the Eev. H. H. Slater, this bird has been known as Ice- 

 landic from a solitary specimen, of uncertain locality, procured by the 

 late Mr. Proctor. It is therefore a matter of importance that I 

 found this bird breeding in the forest above referred to ; as it not only 

 places the bird on a sound footing, but gives a new breeding bird for Ice- 

 land, and, I think, Europe as well. I brought back adults, and nests 

 and eggs, which have been identified by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe and Mr. 

 Eugene W. Gates. 



Snow-Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis. (Snjotitlingur.) — Common 

 in many districts. I was charmed with the song of this bird ; when 

 heard in the great solitudes, high up on the mountain-sides, amongst 

 the masses of black lava and patches of snow, it struck me as being 

 the sweetest Bunting's song I had ever heard. I procured a perfect 

 series of this bird — nest and eggs, and every stage of young and 

 adults, I have one very remarkable young bird, with legs and bill 

 abnormally large. 



Raven, Corvus corax. (Hrafn, &c.). — Plentiful in some districts. I 

 found them breeding on the cliffs as late as July. I did not procure 

 any specimens, but regret that I did not bring back a skin which I was 

 offered, as it has since occurred to me that it was of the enormous billed 

 American race.* 



Carrion-Ckow, C. corone. (Psereyja-hrafn.) — I saw several of these 

 birds once only, and that was in Seydisfjord. 



Snowy Owl, Nyctea sccmdiaca. (Ugia, &c.). — I did not personally 

 meet with this bird, but several skins were brought to me. I was 

 assured that the bird had never been known to breed in the North, and 

 rested there only on migration. 



White-tailed Eagle, Haliaetus albicilla. (Orn, Ari, &c.). — I saw a 

 grand adult with white head and tail sailing over Lake Myvatn, but it 

 never came within three hundred yards. This same solitary bird is 

 said to have been seen in the district for ten years, but never with 

 a mate. 



Iceland Falcon, Falco islayidxis. (Falki.) — I found this magnificent 

 Falcon in moderate abundance in certain districts, and witnessed 

 several striking scenes in connection with' it. I scaled a vast pinnacle 

 of rock (lava, and very rotten in places) to the eyrie ; this was real 



* Since the above was written I have examined the collection at Tring 

 and Dr. Hartert points out to me that the Greenland form has a very 

 large bill. 



