Changes of Plumage in the Red Grouse. 61 



I therefore conclude that the haemal arch is not homo- 

 logous throughout the Vertebrata, as it may be formed by the 

 ribs alone [Amia], by the parapophyses or parapophyses and 

 ribs ( TeJeostei) , or by mere ventral processes of the centra or 

 intercentra ; that the '' hpemapophysis," as an element, does 

 not exist ; and that the interpretation I have given to the 

 chevrons of Eeptiles is correct, 



XVII. — On the Tadpole of Pelobates syriacus, Boettger. 

 By G. A. BOULENGER. 



Among some Batrachians from Syria which their collector, 

 Professor J. Barrois, has kindly sent me, were four large 

 tadpoles, which I should have pronounced as of Pelobates 

 fuscus, were it not for the locality whence they were pro- 

 cured — the immediate environs of Damascus. Now, the 

 Pelobates of Syria which, in its perfect condition, stands 

 much nearer to P. cultripes than to P. fuscus, has recently 

 been described by Dr. Boettger under the name of P. syriacus ; 

 and I therefore feel justified in applying that name to these 

 tadpoles, although I am unable to point out any character of 

 importance by which they are to be distinguished from the 

 common species, P. fuscus. 



The nostrils are equally distant from the eyes and the 

 end of the snout ; the distance between them equals one half 

 the interocular width, which equals once and a half to once 

 and two thirds the width of the mouth. The tail is nearly 

 thrice as long as deep, acutely pointed^ once and two thirds 

 to twice the length of the body. The beak and lips agree 

 entirely with P. fuscus. 



The largest specimen measures 120 raillim. Length of 

 body 42, width of body 25 ; length of tail 78, depth of tail 28. 

 I may add that I have received from Prof. \i. Collctt a 

 young specimen of P. syriacus, stated to be from Smyrna. 



XVIII. — Notes on the Changes of Plumage in the Red Grouse 

 (Lagopus scoticus). \!>y W. R. Ogilvie Grant. 



So many books have been written on British Birds that it 

 seems curious any new facts regarding the sexual differences 

 or changes of plumage in our common species should still 

 remain unrecorded or only imperfectly described. 



Some time ago, in two articles published in the columns of 



