186 LAGOPUS SCOTICUS. 



In the more remote parts of Scotland, it is considered a bird 

 of good omen. By its crowing at dawn, the evil spirits of night 

 are put to flight, or deprived of their power. But the poetry 

 of superstition is gradually giving place to the prosaic senti- 

 ments of philosophy ; and the highland lairds are so intent on 

 making gain of their Grouse and Ptarmigan, that one might 

 apprehend their total extinction in many districts at no distant 

 period. Indeed, judging merely from the quantity seen in the 

 markets of our principal towns, the number killed every year 

 must be prodigious. 



As an article of food, the Brown Ptarmigan is highly 

 esteemed. The flesh is very dark-coloured, and has a peculiar 

 somewhat bitter taste, which by some is considered as ex- 

 tremely pleasant, while others aftect to relish it because it is 

 fashionable to do so. 



I have only to add, that a reason may here be assigned for 

 altering the common name of this bird. The English name 

 of Tetrao being Grouse, and that of Lagopus being Ptarmigan, 

 it is obviously improper to bestow the appellation of Red Grouse 

 on a species of the latter genus. But, it may be said, the dis- 

 tinctive " Red " ought to be retained. I think not. Lagopus 

 saliceti is more properly red, Lagopus scoticus is more browTi 

 than red, Lagopus cinereus is grey in autumn, Lagopus ru- 

 pestris yellow in summer, and Lagopus leucurus has a white 

 tail, in which respect it differs from all the rest. Therefore I 

 name these birds : — Lagopus saliceti. Red Ptarmigan ; L. sco- 

 ticus. Brown Ptarmigan ; L. cinereus, Gi'ey Ptarmigan ; L. 

 rupestris. Yellow or Bock Ptarmigan ; and L. leucurus. White- 

 tailed Ptarmigan. At the sametime, I am very doubtful re- 

 specting the existence of Lagopus rupestris as a species distinct 

 from L. cinereus. 



