
48 R. COLLETT. [No. 3. 
Many of the true alpine species amongst these lemming- 
eaters accompany the swarms down to the lowlands, and during 
such years they may be numerous there where they usually oc- 
cur but sparsely. Thus Canis lagopus may be enticed far from 
its habitat, and wben once it gets to the lowlands it will often 
continue on to latitudes in which it is quite unknown. This 
has repeatedly led to its being killed in the districts around 
the Christiania Fjord. The same holds good in respect to Gulo 
luseus *. 
In the lowlands the lemmings meet many other mice killers, 
who also contribute to thinning their ranks. To these belong 
Buteo buteo, Falco tinmimeulus, several kinds of owls, the fox, 
most members of the family Corvidae, besides dogs” and cats. 
In the northern parts of the country, åa number of not usual 
feeders on lemmings appear, and take part in the great feast. 
The migrations in those parts are, as previously mentioned, of 
less vast extent when they proceed from the centre of an island 
to its shores. There the lemmings are sought for by all the 
large species of gulls, (especially Larus marius, and L. argen- 
tatus); likewise the Skuas, especially Stercorarius parasiticus, il 
devour them whenever they get the chance. 
Vipera berus is, too, amongst their enemies. One observer, 
during the migratory year 1872, thus found, in the neighbour- 
hood of Hamar (on Lake Mjösen), å specimen of this species 
which contained three undigested, and two half digested bodies 
of Myodes in its stomach. 
Fish, likewise, may be their enemies. During prolific years, 
trout (Salmo eriox), or pike are often caught which contain whole 
Jemmings, swallowed during the latter's endeavours to cross å 
1 Qne specimen of the latter species was killed near Christiania in 
Oct. 1979. A (small) migration of Myodes had taken place that 
year from Gudbrandsdal and Österdal, and had probably enticed it 
away to unknown parts. | 
2 The Rev. Mr. Schiibeler has informed me, that, at Aaseral (Christi- 
ansand Stift), during the migratory year 18683, his terrier once, ing 
the course of one and a half hours, killed 274 lemmings just close 
to the parsonage. 

