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Show 238 MR. R. COLLETT ON HYBRID GROUSE. [Apr. 20, recognize the fact that these two species but seldom meet; but such is by no means an impossibility. 4. Lagopus scoticus and Lagopus mutus.-A supposed hybrid between the Red Grouse and the Ptarmigan was exhibited at the meeting of this Society, November 5, 1878, by Prof. Newton. The bird was shot in September, 1878, in Sutherland. "As will be seen, it bears some considerable resemblance, above, to a hen Ptarmigan in summer plumage; but its general appearance is much darker. Beneath, there is a greater resemblance to the young of the Red Grouse; and the primaries are much as in that bird, being, however, partially edged with white to a much greater extent than is commonly found in the latter." (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1878, p. 793.) Habits. Concerning the habits of the Rype-Orre very little is known. Almost all the specimens which hitherto have been discovered have been brought to the towns with other game snared or shot in the autumn or winter by peasants, without attracting any notice. The peasants themselves, as a rule, regard them as a peculiar kind of Willow-Grouse. In the following instances only have I heard of its being shot by true sportsmen who well knew what it was they had brought down. On the 30th of November, 1871, a male bird was shot by my friend Herr Berbom, Inspector of Forests, in Saltdalen (within the Arctic Circle), the most northern spot in which this hybrid is known. The locality was a low hill covered with birch-woods, some tarns and marshes ; it was occupied by both Blackgame and Willow- Grouse. Mr. Berbom has just informed me, in reply to my inquiries, that this specimen appeared to be solitary, keeping company with neither one nor the other species. The other case does not either throw any particular light on its habits. On the 7th of October, 1876, another friend, Engineer Oxaal, while shooting "Li-Rype" (Willow-Grouse) at Roros, shot one (a female) in the usual haunts of the " Rvpe," about 2700 to 3000 feet above the sea. It was on the ground, and ran forward from behind a tuft of grass after the dog had pointed. It was therefore shot whilst running, and in this respect it appeared to Mr. Oxaal to differ from a Willow-Grouse, which at such a time would in all probability not have exposed itself. It was alone, and no Willow- Grouse or Blackgame were met with in the neighbourhood. Notwithstanding that the season was but little advanced, this bird had completely adopted its winter dress, and scarcely a feather remained of its summer plumage. An older account from Sweden gives a little more information concerning its habits. In October 1846 two young birds wrere shot in Dalarne which were accompanied by a hen, supposed to be their mother, and which appeared to be a female Tetrao tetrix. O n this occasion one of the two young birds perched in the trees (unlike a Willow-Grouse, but like a Blackcock). They had a harsh cackling |
