448 Letters, Extracts, Notices, i^c. 



Sir, — In the number of ' The Ibis ' for this month^ on 

 p. 228, referring to the Museum at Bergen, the writers state 

 " The only known hybrid between the Black Grouse and 

 Capercailie is to be seen here/' I cannot understand what 

 is meantj for of all hybrids among birds in a wild state this 

 one seems to be the most frequent. The cross occurs almost 

 annually, not only where Capercailies are scarce, as in Scot- 

 land, but even in districts where there are larger numbers of 

 both species of Grouse, as in Norway. I have myself received 

 three specimens in one year from that country. 



This hybrid is frequently mentioned in works on Natural 

 History, and it is the general opinion that wherever Caper- 

 cailies are extending their range, and from whatever cause, 

 the hen birds migrate first, the cocks not following for two 

 or three years. During this time some of these wandering 

 hens mate with the Black Grouse. 



Specimens of this hybrid were killed in Scotland during 

 last autumn, and among the foreign game which comes to 

 London instances of it may often be seen. 

 I am. Sir, 



Yours &c., 



Graftonbury, Herefurd, William E. De Winton. 



April 16, 1894. 



Sir, — In your April issue, p. 228, Messrs. Pearson and 

 Bidwell state that " the only known hybrid between the Black 

 Grouse and Capercailie is to be seen here" (Bergen Museum) ! 



Allow me to point out that in the Yorkshire Philosophical 

 Society^s Museum there is a case containing a pair of these 

 birds. Unfortunately no data exist as to where or when they 

 were shot; we only know that they formerly adorned the 

 once famous " Strickland '' collection, the best birds from 

 which have been drafted into the New British Bird collection. 



The above-mentioned hybrids, I may add, have been criti- 

 cally examined by M. Suchetet of Rouen. 



I am. Sir, 



Yours &c., 



Ilolgate, York, April 18, 1894. J. Backhouse. 



