128 Capt. Blakiston on the Birds of the 



Lagopus leucurus. 



The only specimens of the White-tailed Ptarmigan yet ob- 

 tained have been from the Rocky Mountains. It has been 

 found by Mr. Ross as far north as the Arctic Circle, and on 

 the authority of American explorers extends south to lat. 39°. 



Another Ptarmigan has been called L. americanus and L. mutus, 

 from Baffin's Bay ; but there seems to be a good deal of uncer- 

 tainty yet, which requires clearing up, with respect to these in- 

 teresting birds. I find that several English naturalists, following 

 Sir William Jardine, have come to the conclusion that the Willow 

 Grouse of North America and Europe and the Red Grouse of 

 Scotland are one species. That they agree in size and form is 

 allowed ; but then, why should we not consider the Common 

 Fieldfare and Missel Thrush of our own country as one ? for 

 when an albino is examined, it is impossible to say with certainty 

 to which species it belongs. 



Order V. GRALLATORES. 



GrUS AMERICANA. 



At different times, during my travels in the interior, I observed 

 White Cranes, but was never fortunate enough to procure a spe- 

 cimen. The * Fauna Bor.-Am.' records one from the Saskatcha- 

 wan; and Mr. Ross from Fort Simpson, on Mackenzie River, 

 where they are rare, 



94. Grus canadensis. 



The Sand-hill Crane arrives on the Saskatchawan, in large 

 numbers, from the south, in April ; and in the beginning of 

 May I found its eggs. Individuals shot measured from 41 to 

 42^ in. in length, wings 19 to 21 in., and bill 5 in. along the 

 ridge; they were found to differ considerably in the amount 

 of rust-colour on the plumage. I found this bird as far west 

 as the Rocky Mountains ; Mr. Murray notices it from near 

 Hudson's Bay; while the * Fauna Bor.-Am.' records a specimen 

 from Great Slave Lake, and Mr. Ross notices it as common on 

 the Mackenzie to the Arctic coast. Grus fratercula is also 

 given by Mr. Ross, but as an inhabitant of the west side of the 

 Rocky Mountains only. 



