196 COMMON PTARMIGAN. 



As Dr Trudeau remarks, " this species resembles the Hairy and 

 Downy Woodpeckers in plumage, but is very distinct, and is interme- 

 diate in size between them. It seems, in fact, to form a passage from 

 the one to the other."' 



COMMON PTARMIGAN. 



Tetrao mutus. 



PLATE CCCCXVIII. Adult in spring. 



The Common Ptarmigan of Britain, Lagopus mutus of Leach, which 

 is said to occur on the Continent of Europe, although less abundant 

 there and confounded with the Rock Grous, Lagopus rupestris, has been 

 found by Captain Sabine on the islands lying on the south-west side 

 of Baffin's Bay. At least, individuals of a species of Ptarmigan ob- 

 tained there have been considered as specifically identical with the 

 Scottish Ptarmigan. In the Fauna Boreali- Americana, Dr Richard- 

 son remarks, that " a specimen, in summer plumage, sent to Sir John 

 Franklin from Churchhill River, was identified by Joseph Sabine, 

 Esq., with the Scotch Ptarmigan, — thus establishing it as an inhabi- 

 tant of the American Continent." " I have not been able to trace that 

 specimen," he continues, " and I am informed, that the only authentic 

 examples from the New World are now in the possession of Lord Stan- 

 ley, to whom they were presented by Mr Sabine." The distinguished 

 nobleman here mentioned, my generous friend the Earl of Derby, ha- 

 ving, with his usual liberality, lent me tliree fine specimens, I have re- 

 presented that which seemed to me the most beautiful. At the same 

 time, after due consideration, I am satisfied that, although the bird fi- 

 gured by me, may be the Common Ptarmigan, it yet presents all the 

 characters of the Rock Grous or Ptarmigan. It is less than the Scotch 

 Ptarmigan, and its wings are much shorter, and even more concave ; 

 and in these respects it corresponded with the other two specimens, 

 which however had the plumage pure white, with the exception of the 

 tail-feathers and the shafts of the primaries. But however this may 

 be, whether these three specimens in the possession of the Earl of 



