Lagofus. BIRDS. GALLINADiE. 43 



GALLINADJi. 



1. Tarsus feathered. 

 Gen. I. LAGOPUS. Grous.— Toes closely feathered above, 

 with a simple margin. Tail of 16 feathers. 



1. L. scotkus. Red Grous.— Plumage reddish-brown, mot- 

 tled with pale spots, and black bars. 



L. altera, Will. Orn. p. 128 Sibb. Scot. p. 16 — Redcock, Penn. Brit. 



Zool. i. 269.— T6tras rouge, Temm. Manuel d'Ornithologie (1820), ii. 



p. 465 E, Red Game, Gorcock, Moorcock ; S, Moorfowl ; W, Ceiliog 



Mynydd, Tarfynydd; G, Coileach ruadh — In open heathy moors, 



from Wales to Orkney. 

 Length 15| inches, breadth 26, weight 20 ounces. Bill black, covered at 

 the base with feathers. A spot of white feathers at the base of the lower 

 mandible, and a circle of the same colour round the eyes. Quills 24, dusky ; 

 the first shorter than the second, and the third the longest. 7W-feathers 

 black, the four middle ones barred with red. Above each eye is a rough, na- 

 ked, scarlet spot, with the upper margin fringed. Tarsus and toes with fine 

 cinereous feathers or hairs. The female is smaller, of a duller colour, and the 

 scarlet spot less distinct. Pair in the spring. Eggs from 10 to 14 in num- 

 ber, dirty white, blotched with brown. The young or pouts are of a light co- 

 lour. The young and parent birds keep in a pack, until the beginning of 

 winter, when they associate in large flocks with other broods. Feed on ber- 

 ries, heath tops, and corn. Easily domesticated, and breed in confinement. 

 This species is truly a native bird/being confined to the United Kingdom. 



2. L. vulgaris. Ptarmigan. — Plumage cinereous, tinged 

 with brown, with black and dusky spots and bars. 



L. avis, Will. Orn. 127 Sibb. Scot 16 — Penn. Brit. Zool. i. 271 — Te- 



tras Ptarmigan, Temm. ii. 468. W, Coriar yr Albin ; G, Tarmachan. 

 Confined to the highest mountains of Scotland. 

 Length 15, breadth 23 inches ; weight 19 ounces. Bill black, more pro- 

 duced and less pointed than the preceding. From the gape to the eyes a 

 black band. Above the eyes a lunulated, naked, scarlet spot. Quills 24, with 

 white webs, and black shafts ; the first shorter than the second, the third the 

 longest. Tail feathers black, the middle ones variegated with pale brown. 

 Tarsus and toes with cinereous feathers and hairs. In the female the black 

 band from the gape is wanting. In winter the plumage becomes white, with 

 the exception of the cheek band, the seven tail-feathers on each side, the 

 shafts of the two middle ones, and of the quills, which are black. Eggs 10, 

 white, with brown spots. It is a stupid bird. Breeds in confinement. Dis- 

 tributed in the alpine and arctic regions of Europe and America. 



Gen. II. TETRAO. — Toes nearly naked above, with a pecti- 

 nated margin on each side beneath. 



3. T. Tetrix. Black-Cock. — Feathers of the throat not pro- 

 duced ; tail forked, the two external feathers recurved. 



