Letters, Extracts, Notices, ^-r. 2()1 



canariensis, on one of its lateral branches. I believe I am 

 the first to find this valuable nest. 



Yours kc, 



K.AMON Gomez. 



P- Blackgame in Newfoundland. — We extract from the ' Field' 

 of Dec, 22nd, 1888, the following account of an attempt 

 made by jNIr. R. L. Mare, of St. Johu^s, NcAvfoundland, to 

 introduce blackgame into his adopted country. 



'' The first shipment of these birds arrived there from 

 Scotland on October 21, 1886, and a second on December 3 

 following. In all something like twenty brace were sent, 

 three birds only dying on the passage. They were conveyed 

 by Mr. Mare to a suitable locality, about six miles in from 

 ' the half-way house,' between Holyrood and Salmonier. 

 The second lot were taken to a place a few miles nearer 

 Salmonier. On being liberated they at once took wing, 

 flying vigorously ; and the Legislature passed a law to 

 protect the new importation for five years. Since then ac- 

 counts have been repeatedly received showing that the birds 

 are thriving well and rapidly increasing in numbers. Already 

 they are reported to have been seen in Bay St. George, so 

 that they have actually made their way across the island in 

 that short time. Some have also been seen at Trepassey, on 

 the southern shore of the island. 



*' Prior to the date above mentioned, if we mistake not, only 

 two species of Grouse were to be met with in Newfoundland, 

 namely, the Willow Grouse [Lagopus albus), common in the 

 lowlands, and the Rock Ptarmigan [Lagopus rupestris), an 

 alpine species rarely found below the line of stunted black 

 spruce, except in the depth of winter, when it descends to 

 the lowlands and feeds sometimes in company with the 

 Willow Grouse. Quite exceptionally a few Canada Grouse 

 {Tetrao canadensis) , locally known as * spruce partridge,^ 

 have been known to find their way over from the mainland, 

 and have now and then been shot ; but we are not aware 

 that they have obtained a permanent footing or bred in any 

 part of Newfoundland. The Willow Grouse is by far the 



