34 



OLAFSEN AND POVELSEn's 



direction, and mix together in the fields without discrimination, 

 while, on the approach of winter, which is towards the end of 

 October, they pass in couples or in troops of from six to ten 

 or more near a farm, according to its extent or apparent po- 

 pulation. If a strange raven, or one of another troop, has the 

 misfortune to fall amongst them, they chase him in the most 

 furious manner, and kill him if he cannot escape. 



WILD FOWL. 



There are several species of wild-fowl in Iceland; the people 

 shoot them in winter, and in summer collect their eggs. 



The wild-duck (Anas mollissima ) is not very abundant in the 

 districts of Kiosar and Goldbringue, in consequence of the havoc 

 made by the gun, though the sport is in the spring forbidden 

 by law. This bird is not of a delicate flavour, but its eggs are 

 very good, and great use is made of its down. The swan {Anas 

 tygnus) is very common in this country, where it passes the 

 winter, and in^summer lives on lakes and rivers : when these are 

 frozen, it proceeds to the sea-coast, and in the long and dark 

 nights of winter this bird traverses the air in flocks, making it 

 re-echo with its notes, which are very similar to, and rather 

 higher, than the tones of a violin. One of the troop first begins, 

 and is shortly followed by another, so that it would appear that 

 they were answering or singing in parts. The country people 

 are often awakened from their sound sleep by the notes of these 

 birds; but they do not regret the disturbance, since, when the 

 waters are frozen and the forests covered with snow, it prognos 

 ticates a thaw, which invariably follows in two or three days. 



There are three different species, of the Pelican ( Pelicanus 

 carbo ) in Iceland, which nevertheless live together and have the 

 eame kind of walk. The following is the manner in which they 

 are taken ; in winter, when breakers accompanied by cold winds 

 drive towards the coast opposite to where the sea is bounded by 

 rocks, the pelicans proceed thitherto find a shelter for the night; 

 but the rocks being covered with hoar frost, are so slippery 

 that they cannot stand on them, from which they endeavour to 

 perch on the summits or to find some herbage, where they can 

 test. The inhabitants who watch for this period, then cau- 

 tiously advance., provided with nets, which they throw with 

 success wherever a flock of Pelicans has alighted. The Ice- 

 landers eat these birds, and many foreigners do the same, not- 

 withstanding their fat is very strong, and their flesh has a fishy 

 taste; the young birds, however, eat better, particularly if stript 

 of their skin ; and it is even asserted, that after this operation 

 fiiey are equal hi flavour to the turkey. 



