197 



In Nordland it occurs here and there up to the Artic Circle (Bodø, 

 Godman, 1857). 



Calamodus scho enobænus, Lin. 



The distribution of this species in peculiar. Occurring in some 

 localities in the extreme north of the country, it has never, to a 

 certainty, been shown to breed in the southern parts, a stray in- 

 individual only having been killed near Christiania, in the spring 

 of 1849. 



North of the Arctic Circle, on the other hand, it appears to 

 be common enough in most favourable localities, viz. where there 

 is a due mixture of birch and willow growth on a soil more or 

 less humid. 



On Tromsøen (69° 40'), where it had been previously observed 

 by Lilljeborg and Heuglin, 1 I found it in the summer of 1872 

 habiting the south and west of the island in considerable numbers. 

 Whilst the female was sitting, the malebird sang incessantly from 

 the top of the matted shrubs, its tones increasing in intensity as 

 you neared it or its nest, and often it could with difficulty be 

 forced to quit the spot. It would ascend into the air like an 

 Anthus, and again descend with outstretch'ed, quivering wings, 

 alighting on the top of some neighbouring tree. Its peculiar and 

 piercing song was mingled with the notes of other birds, among 

 which could be plainly distinguished the call-note of the Fringilla 

 linaria and the Motacilla flava, everywhere so abundant here. 



The 21st July the young birds werefledged, but not full grown. 

 The mother scurried off with her brood through the undergrowth; 

 but they were never seen to leave the trees or bushes, and make 

 for the tall grass. In the stomachs of the indivi duals shot were 

 found Biptera and Coleoptera. 



I also observed it in several places and in considerable numbers 

 in the valley of theMaalselv, as well as on Tromsøen, but did not 



1 In stating that Ca lamoh. phragmitis is „der gewohlichste Sanger der Insel" (Journal 

 flir Ornithologie 1871, p. 12), Heuglin surely means to imply in particular localities, 

 for here as elsewhere, Phyllops. trochilus occurs in by far the greatest numbers. 



