AMERICAN PTARMIGAN. H9 



The Sea Pea. 



Pisum maritimum, Willd., Sp. PI., vol. iil. p. 1071. Pursh, Flor. Amer. Sept., vol. ii. 

 p. 470. — Diadelphia Decandria, Linn.— Leguminosje, Juss. 



This species of Pea grows in the same country, generally in the vicinity 

 of the sea. It has an angular stem, with sagittate stipules, and many- 

 flowered peduncles, with large purple, blue and red flowers. 



AMERICAN PTARMIGAN. 



-/'Lagopus Americanus, Jiud. 



PLATE CCC— Male. 



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 Grouse, Lagopus rupestris, has been, it was 

 thought, found by Captain Sabine on the islands lying on the south-west 

 side of Baffin's Bay, and this species was published in my Ornithological 

 Biography as identical with that bird. Individuals of a species of Ptarmigan 

 obtained in Baffin's Bay have been considered as specifically identical with 

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

 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 inhabitant 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 Stanley, now Earl Derby, to whom 

 they were presented by Mr. Sabine." The distinguished nobleman here 

 mentioned, my generous friend the Earl of Derby, having, with his usual 

 liberality, lent me three fine specimens, I have represented that which 

 seemed to me the most beautiful. At the same time, after due consideration, 

 I am satisfied that the bird figured by me, is not the Common Ptarmigan, 



