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Show 118 MR. J. E. HARTING ON ARCTIC BIRDS. [Feb. 7, This, the American Rock-Grouse, differs from the Willow-Grouse (Lagopus albus*, Gmel.), which is also found in Northern America, in its superior size and shorter and stouter bill. The male, too, has a black stripe through the eye, which is not found in either sex of the Willow-Grouse. Figures of both species will be found in the 'Fauna Boreali-Americana,' ii. pp. 351 & 354. The Rock-Grouse is reported by Captain Sabine (I. s. ci) to be common in summer on Melville Island, a locality whence several other species in this collection were obtained. The specimen in case 13 is an adult female, in full summer plumage, procured by Capt. -Richards, H.M.S. 'Assistance,' in Wellington Channel, in 1854. Case 14 contains a female bird in autumn plumage, obtained on the west coast of Greenland, in 1853, by Capt. Elliot, in H.M.S. ' Phoenix.' The example in case 15 is in winter plumage, and was brought home by Capt. Collinson, C.B., in H.M.S. ' Enterprise' (1850-54). Case 16. EIDER DUCK. Somateria mollissima, Leach. Anas mollissima, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 198. A male bird from Cape Sahacketon, Baffin's Bay, brought home by Capt. Elliot, H.M.S. ' Phoenix,' in 1854. Although not uncommon on the Atlantic and Arctic coasts of the northern hemisphere, this bird does not appear to have been met with on the North-Pacific coast. Case 17. KING DUCK. Somateria spectabilis, Leach. Fig.l. Fig- 2. Fig. 1. Upper surface of bill of King Duck. 2. Fpper surface of bill of Eider Buck. * Lagopus albus, Audubon, B. Amer. v. p. 114, pl. 299. Tetrao saliceti, Sabine, App. Frankl. Nar. p. 681; Richardson. App. Parry's Second Voy. p. 347 ; Swainson, Faun. Bor.-Amer. ii. p. 351. |