AMERICAN PTARMIGAN. 
119 
The Sea Pea. 
Pisum maritimum, Willd., Sp. PI., vol. iii. p. 1071. Pursk, Flor. Amer. Sept., vol. li. 
p, 4Vo. — D iadelphia Decandria, Linn. — Leguminosa:, 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, Aud. 
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 Churchill 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, 
