R. COLLETT. [No. 11. 



The length of the wing from the carpal angle was 149 c 

 that of the tail 96 mm . 



Fam. Tetraonidæ. 



1. Lyrurus tetrix, (Lin.) X Tetrao urogallus, Lin. 

 (mas). (fem.) 



Occurrence. Is met with in most districts of Norway, with 

 the exception of the coastal parts of the Bergen stift, and Fin- 

 mark, the male („Rakkelhane") comparatively frequently, the 

 fe male („Rakkelhøne") more rarely. 



Diagn. Tail sligMly forked, or (in the female) almost straight l 

 the under tail-coverts considerably shorter than the middle tail-feathers. 



The male somewhat larger than the mother (T. urogallus, fem.), 

 the female about the sise of the father (L. tetrix, mas.). 



Male (winter plumage). Head, neck, rump, black with' purple me- 

 tallic lustre, which on the breast forms a shining patch. The wings 

 bromnish black, finely mottled. The basal parts of the wing-feathers are 

 white. The under surface black; the under tail-coverts black with 

 broad white edges. Bill brownish black. 



Female (winter plumage). The markings almost as in the grey- 

 hen (L. tetrix, fem.), but the colour more reddish yellow ; the wing- 

 feathers entirely, or almost entirely, without white at their bases, and 

 the extreme edges of the tail-feathers not mottled. 



Young male (November). The last remains of a reddish brown, 

 speckled, young bird's plumage are still visible in the wing-coverts and on 

 the greater part of the head and neck; elsewhere the dark plumage of 

 the adult male is assumed. The breast of a purple metallic colour, as in 

 older birds. 



Tlie colour is thus composed of that of the corresponding sex in 

 both parents. Thus the Rakkelhane has acquired from the male 

 form of his mother's species (the capercaillie, T. urogallus, mas) 

 most of the colour of the upper surface, such as the brown of 

 the upper surface of the wings, and the fine mottling on the 

 rump; the under tail-coverts moreover are exactly as in that 

 species. 



