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 impossibihty. 



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. Newtou. The 

 bird was shot in September, 18/8, 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." (Pioc. Zool. Soc. 1878, p. TdS-) 



Hahits. 



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 nor 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 N^as 

 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 iu 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. 



Au older account from Sweden gives a little more information 

 concerning its habits, lu October 184G two young birds were shot 

 in Dalarne which were accompanied by a hen, supposed to be their 

 mother, and which appeared to be a lemale Telrao tetvix. On this 

 occasion one of the two young birds perched iu the trees (unlike a 

 Willow-Grouse, but like a Blackcock). They had a harsh cackling 



