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Show 1877.] THE NORTH POLAR BASIN. 31 The following is a systematic list of the species of birds met along the shores of the Polar Basin :- 1. NYCTEA SCANDTACA. Several pairs seen ; found breeding. Feeds on Lemmings. 2. PLECTROPHANES NIVALIS. Generally dispersed ; breeding. 3. LAGOPUS RUPESTRIS. Undoubtedly breeding, but nest not found. About ten brace were killed by various members of the ship's company; I killed one in 82° 46'. 4. STREPSILAS INTEPRES. A few pairs observed, undoubtedly breeding; but though we searched long and carefully, we did not find the nest. 5. CALIDRIS ARENARIA. A few pairs noticed. Obtained breeding in 82° 33' N. lat. 6. PHALAROPUS FUL1CARTUS. I noticed this bird twice-a $ killed near the ship in lat. 82° 27', and a pair, evidently breeding, on a small lake in lat. 82° 30'. 7. TRINGA CANUTUS. The commonest of the Waders, remains in flocks the whole summer. Very wild, but breeding. Unable to find nest; but we captured the young in down. 8. STERNA MACRURA. Not uncommon ; we noticed 6 or 8 pairs scattered along the coastlines we visited. Found breeding. 9. LARUS GLAUCUS. Observed on several occasions, but only as a straggler. 10. STERCORARIUS LONGICAUDATUS. Scattered along the coast; every two or three miles a pair were to be found breeding. They live on Lemmings. 11. PROCELLARIA GLACIALIS. A single example picked up dead in lat. 82° 30'. 12. URIA GRYLLE. Two examples observed, one in the autumn of 1875, the other in June 1876; evidently stragglers. 13. COLYMBUS (species uncertain). Seen 2nd September, 1875. 14. HARELDA GLACIALIS. A few pairs, undoubtedly breeding. Nest not discovered. |