414 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



as I had not unpacked my guns. All those I saw in other districts 

 Avere the normally coloured birds with which I am quite familiar. 

 When I returned to the first place, about five weeks later, my eyes 

 were opened to the fact that it was a most striking and interesting case 

 of conscious protective mimicry. At all events, I think, when I can 

 give full details, it will be found to be so. I procured males, females, 

 and downy young. I found this bird breeding far towards the interior 

 districts. 



Golden Plover, Charadrius pluvialis. (Heidlo, &c.). — The com- 

 monest of Iceland birds, being abundant everywhere. I was charmed 

 with its sweet, flute-like, tootling song, and tried to syllable it after I 

 had heard it perhaps thousands of times, and was then listening to it. 

 An utterly absurd failure, as it is with the attempt to syllable nearly 

 all other birds' notes. I got a perfect series of this bird, from the 

 young just hatched, and every possible stage up to full-fledged ; also a 

 good number of adult males and females. This was one of the very 

 few birds of which I procured more than I actually wanted for my 

 series. 



Oystercatchek, Hamatopus ostraleyus. (Tjaldur.) — In moderate 

 numbers in some districts. I did not trouble to procure any specimens. 



Eed-necked Phalakope, Phalaropiis hyperboreus. (Odinshani.) — 

 In some districts as common as Sparrows in a barn-yard. I could 

 write long chapters on the habits of this fascinating little bird. I dis- 

 covered, notwithstanding assertions to the contrary, that the male 

 performs the sole duty of hatching the eggs and rearing the young, the 

 female leaving after the eggs are laid. My evidence is, I think, con- 

 clusive. I am aware that an American observer, I believe, has made 

 a similar discovery with regard to the allied Grey Phalarope [P.fuU- 

 cariuti). My series of this bird is a remarkably complete one. Adult 

 males and female in summer stages, and changing to winter ; young 

 in every conceivable stage, from just hatched to full-fledged ; nest 

 and eggs. I do not consider that the full-fledged young has been 

 properly described. 



Common Snipe, Gallinago ccelestis. (Hrossagaukur.) — Met with 

 very sparingly, and only in certain districts. I only procured one 

 adult. A curious looking bird, but it cannot be other than the Common 

 Snipe. 



Dunlin, Trinya alpina. (Louprgell.) — Very abundant. The small, 

 race. I procured adult males, females, and young. 



Purple Sandpiper, T. striata. (Sendlingur.) — Plentiful in some 

 parts. I went to several breeding haunts, but had to leave before I 

 had procured eggs, and when I returned was too late for downy young. 



