20 R. COLLETT. [No. 11. 



in the vvinter, but where black-game less frequently occur at 

 that season, but often in the spring. 



The members of a covéy seem to keep together until they 

 are separated, and moreover may be found in the district all 

 the winter through. They are stated to be less timid than 

 willow-grouse, in whose company, as already mentioned, they 

 are often found; but their behaviour differs in several small 

 particulars from that of those birds. One bird, for instance, 

 that was being pursued by a sportsman, in Rånen, in January, 

 1898, took refuge in an isolated birch-tree, just as black-game, 

 but not ptarmigans, vvould do. 



Sometimes they appear to be quite homeless. In December, 

 1896, one of these birds made its appearance on a farm (Blek- 

 berget) in the lower forest district of Rena (Østerdalen) where it 

 wandered about among the buildings without showing any fear, 

 until it was shot. 



Food. The food of this hybrid in the summer and in the 

 earliest chick stages, is not known. 



A. Autumn specimens. A large young bird, caught in 

 Odalen in September, with most of its chick plumage still re- 

 tained, contained cranberries (Oxycoccus palustris) and tips of 

 a Car ex. 



An old female, still, for the most part, in summer plumage 

 (shot in Inderøen in October, 1892), had her crop filled with 

 buds of Betula nana (winter food). 



Young males, caught in October and November, (with a 

 few brown feathers still remaining on the head), have contained 

 bilberries (Myrtillus nigra); an autumn specimen, caught at 

 Balangen in Lofoten in the middle of November, 1897, contained, 

 besides gravel, 160 seeds of Rubus saxatilis, and some of 

 Empetrum. 



In a female in full winter plumage, shot at Røros on the 

 7 th October, 1876, were found only some berries of Empeirum 

 nigrum, and bilberry stalks (thus on the whole winter food). 



