[ 2*4 ] 
XXVIII. Obfervatiom on the Lagopus , 
Ptarmigan ; /'# # Letter from the 
Hon. Dairies Barrington, V. P. R. R. to 
Mathew Maty, M. D. F. R. S . 
Dear Sir, 
rr^HE many different specimens of Lagopi, 
both in their winter and fummer plumage, 
which have lately been prefented to the Royal So- 
ciety, from Hudfon’s Bay, enable us to correct 
many miftakes that have hitherto been made in f he 
defcription of this bird j as well as the unneceffa- 
rily multiplying the fpecies of the Tetrao genus. 
As that able and ingenious naturalilf, M. de 
Buffon, is the laft ornithologift who hath made any 
obfervations on this bird, it may not be improper 
to take notice of fome of his fuppoled inaccuracies. 
The Lagopus, of which M. de Buffon gives an 
engraving, is in its winter plumage; and the feet of 
the bird are confequently covered very thick with 
feathers. M. de Buffon, however, from not having 
examined the fpecimens of the Lagopus with pro- 
per attention, fays, that Ariftotle could not have 
been acquainted with this bird, becaufe the under 
parts of the claws are entirely covered with fea- 
thers ; which circurmlance is fo very lfriking and 
peculiar, that it could not have efcaped tins father 
of natural hiflory. 
If a winter fpecimen, however, of the Lagopus, 
or Ptarmigan, is accurately examined, it will be 
found. 
