emendation, and this I have here ventured to adopt. I saw this bird once in Iceland, the day of my arrival at Reykjavík, 27th April.

ARCTIC SKUA. Stercorarius parasiticus (Linn.)-Kjói.

Common enough throughout the island, for it occasionally occurs, and even breeds, on the moors far inland. According to Faber, it arrives about the 25th April, and remains until the middle of September. The Lestris thuliaca of Herr Preyer (p. 418) I believe to be founded on an example of the darkcoloured race of this species, accidentally mottled with white. Mr. BaringGould obtained another specimen of this variety, which was shot by his guide on Arnarvatns-heiði, as before related in this work (p. 107). It is a well-known fact that both this and the Pomatorhine Skua are subject to great diversity in plumage; and I cannot look on the diagnosis given by Herr Preyer as characteristic of a new species.

BUFFON'S SKUA. Stercorarius buffoni (Boie).

Faber was probably not aware of the difference between the last species and this. In 1858, Mr. Wolley and I observed it several times at Kyrkjuvogr; and a very beautiful one, killed a day or two before at Keflavík, was brought to me on the 10th June. Herr Preyer, in 1860, saw a skin at Reykjavík.

FULMAR. Procellaria glacialis Linn.-Fylungur (reg. bor.) Fylíngur (reg. austr.) Fill.

Abundant in many parts of the Icelandic seas. Never enters the bays. Faber says that the chief breeding-places are Grimsey, Látrabjarg, Krísuvíkrberg, but especially on the Vestmanneyjar, where they are the commonest of all birds. He also mentions Hafnarberg as a nesting locality, but I think he must have been misinformed; at least, I saw or heard nothing of this species there in 1858, though it is very abundant round Eldey. On Grimsey, a grey variety, known as "Smiður," is said to occur. (Naumannia, VII. p. 487.) GREATER SHEARWATER. Puffinus major Faber.-Stóra-skrófa.

Faber met with only one example of this bird, which probably rarely extends its wanderings so far to the north, though it is stated to breed in Greenland. MANX SHEARWATER. Puffinus anglorum (Temm.)-Skrófa.

Remains on the Icelandic seas all the year, according to Faber. Commoner in the south, and especially on the Vestmanneyjar, than in the north.

STORMY PETREL. Thalassidroma pelagica (Linn.)—Drudi.

Mohr mentions that he found two persons who knew this bird in Iceland, but most could tell him nothing of it. Herr Preyer says he himself saw it near the Vestmannaeyjar, otherwise I should have hesitated to include it here. It must be of unfrequent occurrence.

LITTLE AUK. Mergulus alle (Linn.)-Haftirdill. Halkión.

Occurs, according to Faber, all the year round. It only breeds on Grimsey, where Faber found it in 1820, and Mr. Proctor in 1837.

BLACK GUILLEMOT. Uria grylle (Linn.)-Tejsti.

Resident in Iceland, according to Faber, and, I believe, is of pretty general distribution around the coast in breeding time.

COMMON GUILLEMOT. Uria troile (Linn.)—Langnefia. Langvia. Breeds in very many spots on the coast, and in some places in countless numbers. Faber says that a good many remain over the winter. The curious variety, which has been by some naturalists taken for a species, and called in Iceland "Hring-langnefia" or "Hringvia" (Uria leucophthalmus, Faber), occurs in about the same uncertain proportions as it does in other countries. But a more wonderful variety is one with a yellow bill and feet, which seems occasionally to occur on Grimsey, where it is spoken of as the "Langviu-kóngur." (Naumannia, VII. p. 437.)

BRUENNICH'S GUILLEMOT. Uria bruennichi Sabine.-Stutnefia.

Faber seems to have been in doubt whether this was really distinct from the last, as he found so great a resemblance in their habits. Olafsen mentions it (pp. 355, 562) in reference to two localities, Snæfellsnes and Látrabjarg, but in one place he considers it to be the female of the last-mentioned species. He gives a figure of it (tab. xxii.), which shows what he is speaking about. Faber appears to consider that it bred in company with the other species all round the coast. Mr. Proctor found it at Grimsey. Herr Preyer shot one at Reykjavík. I was told it was occasionally met with at Hafnaberg in the breeding time, but I never saw it there, nor, indeed, elsewhere in Iceland.

GARE-FOWL. Alca impennis Linn.—Geir-fugl.

I hope I may here be permitted to refer to an article on this bird which appeared in the Ibis for 1861, wherein I endeavoured to give an abstract of all the particulars respecting its history in Iceland that I was then aware of. I have not since learned much that is of great importance on the subject, though Herr Preyer, in the Journal für Ornithologie for 1862, makes some assertions entirely novel to me. One of them, and the only one I shall here mention, is the statement that the bird formerly bred on the little rock at Cape Reykjanes, known by the name of "Karl." I believe that Mr. Wolley and I examined nearly every fisherman who had been in the habit of pursuing his vocation at that spot, and not one of them ever mentioned such a circumstance. Had Herr Preyer himself visited the locality, instead of obtaining his intelligence from the Reykjavík merchants, I think he would at once have seen the improbability of the case being as he says it was. The person from whom he derived most of his intelligence, including this reputed fact, also furnished Mr. Wolley and myself with a paper, in his own handwriting, and now before me, respecting various Gare-Fowl expeditions, of which he stated he was the chief instigator. As I remarked in my former article, this account contained details which are certainly inaccurate." I am, therefore, not much surprised to find that it does not tally with the version he delivered to Herr Preyer, for I had before inferred that the writer, in drawing it up, had relied upon a very defective memory, in place of notes made at the time. The interest taken in the history of the Gare-Fowl is so deservedly great, that I feel it incumbent upon me to correct, as far as I am able, the misapprehension likely to arise from the erroneous statement which Herr Preyer (unwittingly, I am sure) has made.

RAZOR-BILL. Alca torda Linn.-Álka. Klumba.

Faber considers it not quite as common as the two larger Guillemots above mentioned, which, collectively with it, are generally called "Svart-fugl ;" but I do not think that Uria bruennichi can be so abundant in Iceland as he represents. The Razor-bill frequents the same stations as those birds, and breeds among them. In winter many leave the neighbourhood of the island, but some also remain.

PUFFIN. Fratercula arctica (Linn.)-Lundi.

Very common, and breeds in numerous localities around the coast. At the beginning of October they betake themselves to the open sea, returning to their nesting quarters at the beginning of May.

NORTHERN DIVER. Colymbus glacialis Linn.-Himbrimi. Brúsi (regione boreali).

Not uncommon, a pair or so breeding on nearly every lake. They arrive in the north, according to Faber, the first week in May, and towards the end of August they begin to show themselves on the sea, where, it appears, they remain during the winter.

RED-THROATED DIVER. Colymbus septentrionalis Linn.-Lómur. Therrikráka.

More common, Faber says, than the last-mentioned species, especially in the south-west. They appear first in the fjords at the beginning of April or first week in May, according to the latitude of the district, and soon after repair to the lakes, where they breed. Towards the end of August they return to the sea with their young, and there they remain till the end of October, though a few winter in the south.

HORNED GREBE. Podiceps cornutus (Gmel.)-Sefönd. Flórgoði. Flóaskitur. Flóra (reg. occident.)

Very generally distributed on lakes throughout the western half, and probably the whole of the island. Arrives about the same time as the species last mentioned, and, after breeding, departs in the autumn. Faber, and many others, recognize the existence of a second Grebe, P. auritus (Linn.), and this supposed bird has been called by Boie P. arcticus, but I have never been able to satisfy myself that there is more than one to be found in Iceland. Mr. Baring-Gould thinks that he saw another species of Grebe on Myvatn, which he is inclined to identify with P. rubricollis (Gmel.). It is very possible that such a bird may accidentally occur in Iceland, but as he did not procure a specimen, and the chances seem to me equal whether it may have been the European or American species of Red-necked Grebe, for the latter (Podiceps holballi, Reinh.) visits Greenland, I forbear including either in this list.

Herr Preyer notices (p. 248) that the Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris, Linn.)

and the Starling (Sturnus vulgaris, Linn.) have been said to occur in Iceland. In neither case do I think the evidence amounts to proof of the fact, and I have much pleasure in stating that I agree with the conclusion at which he has arrived on the subject. ELVEDEN, 23rd May, 1863.

APPENDIX B.

ADVICE FOR SPORTSMEN.

ICELAND, as a country for game, is well worthy of the attention of the English sportsman. The game consists of reindeer, wild-fowl, and the white and blue fox, the skins of the latter fetching, in the Russian market, from 50 skillings to 80 skillings a piece. The reindeer are tolerably numerous on some parts of the island, as at Myvatn, the north-eastern corner, and near the Vatna Yokul. There is a considerable amount of difficulty attendant on the pursuit of them during the summer, owing to their occupying the high ground, where they find food adapted for them, but on which your horses are sure to starve. Swans are found in large quantities during the months of June, July, August, and September. During the first two mentioned months they arrive there from all parts to breed; after which process is finished, they spend the remaining two in moulting, during which season grand sport is to be had in hunting them on horseback, as they are then unable to fly. The next aquatic bird in size that I saw is the Anser torquatus, or brent goose. It appears to be a very rare visitant of the island. I had the fortune to see three one morning, seemingly bound for a more southern clime. After the Anser come the two species of diver, Colymbus glacialis and Colymbus septentrionalis. They are met with all over the island. They are very difficult of approach, and have a most wonderful power of diving. I had an opportunity, on one occasion, of testing the speed with which they can propel themselves through the water when diving, and I should estimate it at not less than eight miles per hour. They can traverse a distance of upwards of three hundred yards without ever appearing on the surface. I found the red-throated diver in large quantities. They are very easily approached, and will very frequently take to the wing. They possess a wonderful tenacity of life; as, on one occasion, I tried to kill a bird which my dog had caught in a small pool of water, by puncturing his brain, but all to no purpose, as it had only the effect of stupefying him for a short time. I am sure his brains must have had nearly as much stirring about as the porridge that my friend Mr. Baring-Gould attempted to make for the first time with us.

Wild ducks abound in large quantities, and of many species. In some districts you may easily bag from fifteen to twenty brace in an afternoon's

shooting. I killed a very small duck, about the size of a golden plover, with a plumage exactly similar to that of the Anas boschas, or wild duck, whose species I have never been able to find out. I think I met with two species of grebe, of which one is Podiceps auritus. The above-named aquatic birds, I think, will sum up all the water-fowl that any sportsman will care to shoot in Iceland.

My next division is game, or such as are preserved in this country. The first that I shall name is the Tetrao islandorum, or ptarmigan. These birds are very numerous throughout the island. At Myvatn, you may bag from fifty to sixty brace in a day's shooting with perfect ease. They are very tame indeed; in fact, too much so, as you find considerable difficulty in causing them to rise. The Scolopax rusticola, or woodcock, is altogether a stranger to that part of the globe. However, it has its representative in the S. gallinago, or common snipe, which is literally plentiful. The Numenius phæopus, or whimbrel, are very numerous, especially near Thingvalla; the Charadrius pluvialis, or golden plover, together with Totanus calidris, or red shank, are pretty numerous, and may finish off the second class of birds.

The shot that I would recommend any sportsman to take are Nos. 1 and 5. He will very seldom have to use No. 1, except when in a district where swan abound.

The fishing in Iceland is free to any one who cares to pursue the gentle craft. The fishing there is of no ordinary kind; for you may go out on many of the lakes, and, in the space of a couple of hours, bring in your twenty pounds weight of trout and char. I never fished much; but I remember on one occasion, on a small lake near the Hopvatn, myself and Mr. H killing nineteen fish in three hours, weighing thirty-nine pounds. Nearly all the trout that we caught were, on an average, a little more than one pound, whether it might be in a lake or river. The salmon-fishing last year in Iceland was very bad indeed, owing to a want of rain, from which cause we only killed three, and a few sea trout.

The flies to use in almost all the rivers for trout are grilse flies, as the trout won't look at our ordinary loch flies. Minnow, on the whole, I found fully the most successful. The minnow which I used was a protean minnow, with ten fins to make it spin with rapidity. I found it, with that addition, beat the phantom at the rate of five to three and a half.

The char of Iceland are very large indeed, weighing as heavy as four pounds. There is another fresh-water fish, the English name of which I have been unable to ascertain, but which the natives call "suburtingur." Its habits are similar to those of the salmon-passing one part of the year in salt, and the other in fresh, water. It takes the minnow with great avidity. It grows to the weight of twenty pounds, and has a pink-coloured flesh.

J. W. R.