. The Arctic world: its plants, animals and natural phenomena [microform] : with a historical sketch of Arctic discovery down to the British Polar Expedition: 1875-76. British Polar Expedition, 1875-76; British Polar Expedition, 1875-76; Zoology; Zoologie. '. TiiK AncTic Biiina The distribution of JJirds in tlio Polar Kei^ions, is n suhjoct on which it seoms desirable to ollitr a few rcnmrks, so that our reiulers may bo able to form an accurate concei-tion of the character and variety of the animal life peculiar to them. Of the l)irds of Greenland and Iceland, it may be affinned that fully
. The Arctic world: its plants, animals and natural phenomena [microform] : with a historical sketch of Arctic discovery down to the British Polar Expedition: 1875-76. British Polar Expedition, 1875-76; British Polar Expedition, 1875-76; Zoology; Zoologie. '. TiiK AncTic Biiina The distribution of JJirds in tlio Polar Kei^ions, is n suhjoct on which it seoms desirable to ollitr a few rcnmrks, so that our reiulers may bo able to form an accurate concei-tion of the character and variety of the animal life peculiar to them. Of the l)irds of Greenland and Iceland, it may be affinned that fully three-fourths of the species, and a still larger proportion of individuals, are more or less aquatic, and many of the remainder are only summer visitorF. The largest bird that ventures far north is the Aquila ulbicilln, or fitshing-eagle, which buiMs its eyrie on the loftiest crags of the ocean-cliffs, and feeds on salmon and trout. The Falco Islamlicns, or gyrfalcon, though a native of Iceland, is now very rarely met with. The snowy owl inhabits the glaciers which fill the deep inland valleys of Greenland, and Its range extendi as far southwards as the Orkneya Particular kinds of grouse are confined to the high latitudes; and more particularly the pt^irmigan, or white ITARMIOAN. which supplies a welcome suidition to the scanty bill of fare of the Arctic navigators. It is found, even in the depths of winter, on Melville Island ; burrowing under the snow, perhaps, for warmth, protection, and food. But it appears to bo most numerous in April, when it is found in pairs; in September it collects in coveys, sometimes of as many as fifteen or twenty birds, preparatory to their southern migration. Of the Cormthn, the only species which ventures beyond the Arctic Circle is the lloyston crow, and only in summer. The raven, however, is found in all the wide Polar realm, and is larger, stronger, and more voracious in tlie Arctic Islands ihan elsewhere. It drives the eider-
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1876
