608 Domestication of Grouse, 



Mr. Blyth is correct in his account of the plumage of the 

 young when just fledged, as I have one in that state, which I 

 obtained at the Bass Rock a few years ago.* I have five 

 specimens now before me, killed in winter, according with 

 Temminck's description of the bird at that season : two of 

 these I shot on Feb. 20. 1830, the very day on which I ob- 

 tained another, in its wedding dress ; which I was certainly 

 surprised to see, not being then aware that the old birds 

 changed their plumage earlier than the young. 



With regard to the razor-billed and black-billed auk, I do 

 not doubt the identity of the two ; although, in stating that 

 they are scarce in the adult plumage, I alluded more particu- 

 larly to Plymouth, as I am aware that they are abundant at 

 Lundy in the breeding season. The shape and size of the 

 bill affords a distinction between the young and old ; and 

 most of the specimens I have seen here in winter were young- 

 birds, being destitute of the elevation at the base, and of the 

 white furrow in the centre of the bill. I am not certain of 

 the precise period at which this white line on the bill is ac- 

 quired, but suspect that it is during the second year; as I shot 

 a specimen in August, 1831, having the bill equally pointed, 

 but slightly broader than that of the black-billed auk, which 

 has the white furrow on it : but then it has the white cheeks 

 of winter, and is therefore, I presume, a young bird of the 

 second year, already decked in its winter garb. 



I do not doubt that the difficulties respecting the change of 

 plumage in birds may be overcome by proper attention on the 

 part of those who have good opportunities of investigation : 

 and I shall look forward, with pleasure, to the appearance of 

 Mr. Blyth's forthcoming work on the subject. — Edward 

 Moore. Plyrnouth, Oct. 10. 1837. 



Domestication of Grouse. — The gamekeeper of Joseph 

 Fielden, Esq., of Wilton House, near Blackburn, kept a male 

 red grouse (Lagopus britannicus) in a state of domestication 

 for six years. I believe the bird was supplied with fresh ling 

 every day, or every second day. It died February 1. 1835. 

 John Skaife. Blackburn, Lancashire, August 4/1837. 



* This bird was knocked off its ledge of rock by a falling kittiwake 

 which I had shot ; and, although it doubtless had never been in the water 

 before (its wing feathers being scarcely half an inch long, and its whole 

 surface downy), it seemed fully sensible of the purposes for which its legs 

 were intended, as it continually evaded my grasp by diving. Having at last 

 caught it, I took it to Edinburgh, where it survived a week. 



