Page:Polar Exploration - Bruce - 1911.djvu/139

Rh to Equator, A. E. Brehm; Beyond Petsora Eastward, Henry J. Pearson, with appendices by Colonel H. W. Feilden, C.B.; The Birds of Siberia, Henry Seebohm; Travels of a Naturalist in Northern Europe, J. A. Harvie-Brown.) The most typical of all Arctic birds is the Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis), which is in immense numbers, and which finds a home and nesting-place in every Arctic land, no matter how bleak. The snow bunting arrives in Franz Josef Land about the middle of April, and has been recorded to remain plentifully until October 14th, and stragglers not leaving until October 30th, three days after the disappearance of the sun in that latitude, viz. 80° N. The nests, which are made of dried grass and feathers, are built among stones, under shelter of over-lying rocks, in rock crevices, and under peaty banks. There are usually five to seven eggs. The young birds have been recorded as early as July 10th in Franz Josef Land. The Purple Sandpiper (Tringa striata) is the next most plentiful Arctic land bird. It is usually the first bird that meets the Arctic explorer on landing. The first sandpiper of the season recorded in Franz Josef Land was seen on May 29th. Late in June eggs were found, and on July 4th the first young sandpipers were captured. The nest is built in a hollow among Arctic willow, lichen, and the