238 MR. R, COLLETT ON HYBRID GROUSE. [Apr. 20, 
recognize the fact that these two species but seldom meet; but such 
is by no means an impossibility. 
4. Lagopus scoticus and Lagopus mutus.—A supposed hybrid 
between the Red Grouse and the Ptarmigan was exhibited at the 
meeting of this Society, November 5, 1878, by Prof. Newton. The 
bird was shot in September, 1873, in Sutherland. ‘As will be 
seen, it bears some considerable resemblance, above, to a hen Ptar- 
migan in summer plumage; but its general appearance is much 
darker. Beneath, there is a greater resemblance to the young of 
the Red Grouse ; and the primaries are much as in that bird, being, 
however, partially edged with white to a much greater extent than is 
commonly found in the latter.” (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1878, p. 793.) 
Habits. 
Concerning the habits of the Rype-Orre very little is known. 
Almost all the specimens which hitherto have been discovered have 
been brought to the towns with other game snared or shot in the 
autumn or winter by peasants, without attracting any notice. The 
peasants themselves, as a rule, regard them as a peculiar kind of 
Willow-Grouse. In the following instances only have I heard of its 
being shot by true sportsmen who well knew what it was they had 
brought down. 
On the 30th of November, 1871, a male bird was shot by my 
friend Herr Berbom, Inspector of Forests, in Saltdalen (within the 
Arctic Circle), the most northern spot in which this hybrid is 
known. The locality was a low hill covered with birch-woods, some 
tarns and marshes ; it was occupied by both Blackgame and Willow- 
Grouse. Mr. Berbom has just informed me, in reply to my in- 
quiries, that this specimen appeared to be solitary, keeping company 
with neither one uor the other species. 
The other case does not either throw any particular light on its 
habits. On the 7th of October, 1876, another friend, Engineer 
Oxaal, while shooting ‘‘ Li-Rype” (Willow-Grouse) at Roros, shot 
one (a female) in the usual haunts of the ‘“‘ Rype,” about 2700 to 
3000 feet above the sea. It was on the ground, and ran forward 
from behind a tuft of grass after the dog had pointed. It was 
therefore shot whilst running, and in this respect it appeared to Mr. 
Oxaal to differ from a Willow-Grouse, which at such a time would in 
all probability not have exposed itself. It was alone, and no Willow- 
Grouse or Blackgame were met with in the neighbourhood. Not- 
withstanding that the season was but little advanced, this bird had 
completely adopted its winter dress, and scarcely a feather remained 
of its summer plumage. 
An older account from Sweden gives a little more information 
concerning its habits. In October 1846 two young birds were shot 
in Dalarne which were accompanied by a hen, supposed to be their 
mother, and which appeared to be a female Zeérao tetriz. On this 
occasion one of the two young birds perched in the trees (unlike a 
Willow-Grouse, but like a Blackcock). They had a harsh cackling 
