

No. X. 



General Observations on the Birds of the Genus Tetham : 

 with a Synopsis of tin Species hitherto known. lit/ Charles 

 Lueien Bonaparte, Prince of Musignano, fyc. Head June 

 20th, 1828. 



r ¥^HE genus Tetrad, in the extent given to it by Linne, 

 **■ was so comprehensive, that he might with almost equal 

 propriety have included in it all typical gallinaceous birds. 

 It comprised species, differing not merely in their external 

 characters, but even in their peculiar habits claiming only a 

 remote affinity. Latham very judiciously separated from it 

 the genera Tineunus and Pi nfi.r. which latter he restored from 

 Brisson. Dliger also contributed to our more accurate know- 

 ledge of these birds, by defining two other natural genera. 

 Syrrhaptes and Ortygie. Temminck, in his ERstoire des 

 (iiiltinuics. carried the number of genera ('» '-even, but after- 

 wards reunited Coturnix to Perdix. The real Tetraones are 

 divided by Vieillot into two genera, the Lagopodea forming 

 one by themselves. 



In our arrangement of these birds, we distinguish three sub- 

 genera. 



I. Lagopus, which represents the genus in the Arctic 

 polar regions, whose chilly climates they are admirably 

 adapted to withstand, being thickly clad with dose set 



feathers, abundantly intermixed with down, and covering 

 them to the very nails. Their pure white winter plumage is 



VOL. III. 5 E 



