8()8 Messrs. W. E. Clarke and J. Backhouse — Autumn 



the chief object of our visit to Iceland at this season, namely, 

 the Rock-Ptarmigan [Lagopus rupestris) in autumn plumage, 

 in which stage it was previously unknown to ornithologists. 



It may be well here to make a few observations on the 

 habits of this species in this locality, where we had many 

 opportunities for observing it during our stay in Iceland. 

 The Rock-Ptarmigan was found to be abundant on the hill- 

 slopes as far as the birch-growth extended, which, so far as 

 elevation is concerned, would be about 600 feet. At first, 

 family parties, consisting of old birds in dark mantles, 

 accompanied by six or eight young, in size their equals, but 

 in their upper plumage of a much lighter hue, were com- 

 monly met with. After being shot at a few times these 

 family gatherings were broken up, and single birds, or now 

 and then two or three together, were to be found scattered 

 all over the birch-cover. At first they were wonderfully 

 tame, allowing a close approach, but they soon became 

 initiated to the terrors of the gun. Before taking flight 

 they were occasionally observed to indulge in dropping a 

 curious series of curtsies, reminding one of the movements 

 of the domesticated Muscovy Duck. On rising they were 

 silent, and no note or call was heard, except the guttural croak 

 with which the old cocks announced approaching danger and 

 tlieir own proximity. They Avere mostly to be found abroad 

 feeding during the early morning and evening, and their 

 favourite haunts were little grassy dells fringed with bilberry 

 or Dry as octopetala and surrounded by birches. Some, perhaps 

 all, have the habit of resting, with puffed-out feathers, on the 

 lower branches of the bushes ; but as they were only observed 

 in such positions in the early morning, it may be a customary 

 roosting-place. The food of all shot at Ilallormsta^r con- 

 sisted entirely of the fruit of the bilberry, with which their 

 crops were greatly distended. Considering the richness of 

 this diet, it is hardly necessary to remark that their flesh was 

 delicious, and their bodies, when skinned and cooked, formed 

 a most acceptable change from the perpetual mutton of the 

 Icelandic bill of fare. In winter, as we were informed by our 

 estimable friend Pastor Sigurdar Gunuarsson, the chief food 



