174 LAGOPUS SCOTICUS. 



Variations. — Scarcely two males can be found with pre- 

 cisely the same markings. In some individuals, the whole 

 under parts are nearly black, together with a large portion of 

 the back, wdiile in others there is a good deal of white on the 

 belly. Sometimes the axillaries and lower wing-coverts are 

 pure white ; but the latter are frequently spotted and barred 

 w^ith brown. The diiferences, however, are not such as to alter 

 in any material degree the general appearance. Birds from 

 particular districts frequently exhibit a great similarity, those 

 from one place being much darker than those from another. 

 Individuals more or less spotted or patched with white are 

 sometimes met with. I have seen others of a pale greyish- 

 yellow colour, faintly mottled with dusky. 



As the abo\'^ descriptions refer to the colours of the winter 

 plumage, it is necessary to describe the appearance assumed in 

 summer. The change is very gradual, and young feathers are 

 found at all seasons. 



Male in Summer. — The bill, claws, and supraocular space 

 undergo no change. The ground colour of the plumage re- 

 mains nearly the same, being only a little lighter ; but the 

 head and neck, which in winter were nearly pure chocolate, 

 are barred all over with brownish-black, as are the breast and 

 sides. On the upper parts the reddish tints are lighter, and 

 the tips of most of the feathers are yellowish. The quills and 

 tail-feathers remain the same. 



Female in Summer. — The changes which the female under- 

 goes are similar. The ground colour of all the parts, especially 

 of the neck and head, assuming a much yellower tint, and most 

 of the feathers being tipped with yellowish white. The diffe- 

 rences are not easily described, but are very perceptible in in- 

 dividuals killed in September and October, when patches of 

 winter plumage are contrasted with that of summer. 



Habits. — The Brown Ptarmigan, generally known by the 

 name of Red Grouse, as compared with the Black Grouse, in- 

 habits the heaths of Great Britain and Ireland, to which coun- 

 tries it is peculiar, it never having been found in any other part 

 of the globe. It is especially abundant in Scotland, where it 



