Hybrids between bed grouse and ptarmigan. 4.6 



the theory of hybridism, it is impossible to accept the statement 

 alone as conclusive evidence. 



I regret very much that I did not at the time endeavour to 

 follow up this case ; but as it was then already fifteen years old, 

 and had not found its way into any standard work, it was probably 

 open to serious criticism. 



The sixth instance, referred to in the Editor's note, I must 

 now discuss at some length, because on this, and this alone, 

 so far as I have yet been able to ascertain, rests the case for 

 the actual occurrence of a hybrid between the Ked Grouse and 

 Ptarmigan. 



This bird, on my application, was very kindly forwarded to 

 me by Prof. Newton for examination, and the following is my 

 description : — 



Size, that of young Grouse, or about the same as small 

 Ptarmigan. Bill a trifle heavier than those of young Grouse. 

 Legs and toes well feathered, more so than young Grouse in 

 August ; otherwise not different. Above : head, neck, back, 

 wings, and tail-coverts, all as in early autumn plumage of 

 Ptarmigan, but darker, with very narrow white and yellowish- 

 tinged bars crossing the feathers universally ; the body of all the 

 feathers brownish black, the general effect distinctly more the 

 greyish black of the Ptarmigan than the reddish yellow of the 

 Grouse. Beneath : chin as in Ptarmigan, lighter and more whitish 

 than in Grouse. Lower neck, breast, flanks, lower abdomen, and 

 under tail-coverts, all rather more broadly barred with dirty white 

 and yellow than upper parts, and yellowish black or brown the 

 prevailing tone. Upper and middle abdomen broadly patched 

 with white, intermixed with a few brown patches crossed with 

 the usual yellowish bars. Under wing-coverts white. Primaries 

 and secondaries brown outside, grey inside, tipped with white ; 

 primaries edged with white, which tapers off to the tips and 

 becomes mixed with brown for the last two inches. There is 

 distinctly more white edging to the primaries than in specimens 

 of old hen Grouse, and in young Grouse the white edging seems 

 wanting altogether. Tail, above and behind, brown as in old 

 hen Grouse, with lighter (not white) tips, and yellowish bar just 

 above the tip on most of the middle feathers. Sex and age not 

 given, but apparently a bird of the year. 



Museum labels : — " Shot at Kintradwell, 1st Sept. 1878. Shot 



