128 
Capt. Blakiston on the Birds of the 
Lagopus leucurus. 
The only specimens of the White-tailed Ptarmigan yet ob¬ 
tained have been from the Bocky Mountains. It has been 
found by Mr. Boss as far north as the Arctic Circle, and on 
the authority of American explorers extends south to lat. 39°. 
Another Ptarmigan has been called L. americanus and L. mutus } 
from Baffin's Bay; but there seems to be a good deal of uncer¬ 
tainty yet, which requires clearing up, with respect to these in¬ 
teresting birds. I find that several English naturalists, following 
Sir William Jardine, have come to the conclusion that the Willow 
Grouse of North America and Europe and the Bed Grouse of 
Scotland are one species. That they agree in size and form is 
allowed; but then, why should we not consider the Common 
Fieldfare and Missel Thrush of our own country as one ? for 
when an albino is examined, it is impossible to say with certainty 
to which species it belongs. 
Order V. GBALLATOBES. 
GRUS AMERICANA. 
At different times, during my travels in the interior, I observed 
White Cranes, but was never fortunate enough to procure a spe¬ 
cimen. The ( Fauna Bor.-Am.' records one from the Saskatcha- 
wan; and Mr. Boss from Fort Simpson, on Mackenzie Biver, 
where they are rare. 
94. Grus canadensis. 
The Sand-hill Crane arrives on the Saskatchawan, in large 
numbers, from the south, in April; and in the beginning of 
May I found its eggs. Individuals shot measured from 41 to 
42J in. in length, wings 19 to 21 in., and bill 5 in. along the 
ridge; they were found to differ considerably in the amount 
of rust-colour on the plumage. I found this bird as far west 
as the Bocky Mountains; Mr. Murray notices it from near 
Hudson's Bay; while the ( Fauna Bor.-Am.' records a specimen 
from Great Slave Lake, and Mr. Boss notices it as common on 
the Mackenzie to the Arctic coast. Grus fratercula is also 
given by Mr. Boss, but as an inhabitant of the west side of the 
Bocky Mountains only. 
