122 WHERE FOUND. 



merely a variety of the Dal-Ripa, classed them both as 

 one species, and it was not until lately that they have been 

 identified by Swedish naturalists as specifically distinct. 



The Dal-Ripa inhabits all the more wooded parts of 

 Northern Scandinavia, as also the Lofoden and other 

 islands ofi" the Norwegian coast. As regards Sweden, its 

 limits to the southward in summer would seem to be 

 about the 60°, though in one instance I myself found it 

 breeding on an island in the Wenern more than one degree 

 farther south ; but in winter, especially if there be much 

 snow and the weather unusually severe, it occasionally 

 falls considerably lower down. 



In Norway this bird ranges much farther to the 

 south than in Sweden, as will be seen by the accompany- 

 ing letter, dated Christiania, 18th April, 1866, received by 

 me from Professor H. Rasch, an indefatigable sportsman 

 and accomplished naturalist. 



" The Dal-Ripa is found breeding in the southern parts 

 of Norway, neai'ly as far south as Lindesniis (58° lat.), 

 where the nature of the country is adaj)ted to its 

 habits. It gives the preference to marshy regions 

 at an elevation of at least 1,000 feet above the sea- 

 level, more especially when cleared of large timber and 

 covered with stunted pines, small willow and birch 

 bushes, as well as heather. In winter it falls down as 

 far as Lindesnas itself. But few pairs, however, are found 

 to breed in Southern Norway at the above-named alti- 

 tude, and they only become numerous in suitable locali- 



We liave two kiiuls ; \iz., the Field-Bipa, which lives high iii the rocks, 

 iiiul is less than the other ; and the common soi-t. They are both about 

 the size of a i)it;eon, which they imich resemble, excepting that their 

 li'ifs are covered with feathers : and tliey are therefoi-e called Lagopiis, or 

 liare-foot. Both sorts are white in the winter, in the sjii'ing speckled, and 

 in the summer groy. They are in great numbers, but sniNc years more 

 th-M\ others." 



