ROCK PTARMIGAN. 



Lagopus rupestris, Leach. 



We are indebted to the kindness of the Earl of Derby for a drawing of a bird in His Lordship's collection which 

 has been considered by some as identical with the Lagopus rupestris of North America ; while on the other hand 

 several of the best ornithologists have after a minute examination been induced to consider that this, and the 

 other birds killed in Scotland in the orange-coloured dress here represented, are nothing more than the females 

 of the Common Ptarmigan (Lag-opus mutus) in the plumage of spring and summer, during which period of 

 the year, as abundance of examples testify, both sexes of that bird have the plumage strongly marked with 

 rufous and brown ; the male, however, has the colouring much more grey, the rufous markings being prin- 

 cipally on the neck and breast, where it sometimes approaches to black. Should this prove to be the case, 

 our figure will not be destitute of interest, as it will exhibit the female Ptarmigan in a state of plumage not 

 usually seen ; but until this matter is finally cleared up we have thought it best to figure the bird under the 

 specific title of rupestris. The drawing above mentioned, and the figure recently published by T. C. Eyton, 

 Esq., in his continuation of Bewick's British Birds, were both taken from the same specimen. In conclusion, 

 we ourselves question whether any of the American Grouse can be referred with certainty to those of the 

 European continent, for on comparison they always present differences which, although minute, are neverthe- 

 less constant. 



The whole of the wings are white ; the tail black ; all the remainder of the plumage rich orange brown, 

 numerously marked and barred with blackish brown, but least so on the belly and flanks ; bill and claws 

 black. 



Our figure is of the natural size. 



