118 



MR. J. E. HARTING ON ARCTIC BIRDS. 



[Feb. 1. 



This, the American Rock-Grouse, differs from the Willow-Grouse 

 {Lagopus albvs*, Gmel.), which is also found in Northern America, 

 in its superior size and shorter and stouter bill. The male, too, has 

 a black stripe through the eye, which is not found in either sex of 

 the Willow-Grouse. Figures of both species will be found in the 

 'Fauna Boreali-Americana,' ii. pp. 351 & 354. 



The Rock-Grouse is reported by Captain Sabine (/. s. c.) to be 

 common in summer on Melville Island, a locality whence several 

 other species in this collection were obtained. 



The specimen in case 13 is an adult female, in full summer 

 plumage, procured by Capt. Richards, H.M.S. 'Assistance,' in 

 Wellington Channel, in 1854. 



Case 14 contains a female bird in autumn plumage, obtained on 

 the west coast of Greenland, in 1853, by Capt. Elliot, in H.M.S. 

 ' Phoenix.' 



The example in case 15 is in winter plumage, and was brought 

 home by Capt. Collinson, C.B., in H.M.S. ' Enterprise' (1850-54). 



Case 16. Eider Duck. 



Somateria mollissima, Leach. 



Anas mollissima, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 198. 



A male bird from Cape Sahacketon, Baffin's Bay, brought home 

 by Capt. Elliot, H.M.S. 'Phoenix,' in 1854. - 



Although not uncommon on the Atlantic and Arctic coasts of the 

 northern hemisphere, this bird, does not appear to have been met 

 with on the North- Pacific coast. 



Case 17. King Duck. 



Somateria spectabilis. Leach. 



Fig. 1 . 



Fig. 2. 



Fig. 1. Upper surface of bill of King Duck. 

 2. Upper surface of bill of Eider Duck. 



* Lagopus alhus, Audubon, B. Amer. v. p. 114, pi. 209. Tetrao saliceti, Sabine, 

 App. Frank! Nar. p. 681 ; Richardson, App. Parry's Second Yoy. p. 347 ; Swain- 

 son, Faun. Bor.-Amer. ii. p. 351. 



