“ When full grown and in good condition, they frequently weigh two pounds; and though the flesh is dark, yet it is juicy,
aiiil ulways cstcciiicd good eating, particulai-ly when larded and roasted. In suinnicr they feed on bevi'ics, and in winter on the
tops of the liwarf biveh and the buds of tho poplar. In the fall they arc tolerably tame, hut in the severe cold more shy;
frequently perch on tho tops of the highest |)0[)lars, and will not suffer a near ap¡>i-oaeli. Tlicy sometimes, when disturbed in
tlii.s situation, dive into tlic snow; hut the sportsman is eipuilly balked in his expectation.», as they force their way so fast under
it, as to raise flight many yards distant from the place they ontcrod, and very frequently in a different direction to that from
whieli the s|>orlsmaii ex|)ccts. Tliey, like the othci' species of Grouse, make their -nests on the ground, and lay from ten to
thirteen eggs. Like tlic liuftod Grouse, they cannot be tamed, as many trials have been made at York Fort without success; for
though they never made their escape, yet they ahvays died, probably from the want of proper food, for tho hens th a t hntohod
them ivorc as fond of them as they could possibly have been had they been the produce of their o«m eggs. This species of Grouse
b called by the Soiitlicvii Indians, ‘Aw-Kis-Cow,’"
For the nc.xt genus I retain Uoiclienbacli’s term,
C 17 P r D O N I A,
BU! moderate. Wings rounded. Tait short; the feathers stiffened. Gular saes concealed by tufts o f lanceolate feathers. 7'arsi thickly
feathered.
The single species of this genus, is peculiar to North America, and dwells in large flocks upon the western prairies. I t is tho
10. CLIFIDONIA C U P I D O , ......................................................................................................................Pl.itr XVI.
There seems to be some doubt among authors regarding the proper term for the I’cmainiug genus; some considering the
Lagopns of Brisson as different from the Lagopns of Vieillot.
As the former is not deemed an authority for species, it may naturally be supposed that a like verdict 'vould be rendered
against him regarding genera; but in this iiistancc he has instituted the genus, taking tho Tctrao Lagopus of Liuuteus as his
type, and Vieillot, in his Analyse, has simply follo'vcd him. ^
I t would therefore only be rendering due justice that I should retain for the next group Brisson’s term of
L A G O P V S,
S ill moderate; nasal groove covered with feathers, in winter reaching i
covered with hair-like feathers to the nails.
to the bill Tail moderate. Legs and fret densely
17. LAGOPUS A L B U S , .................................................................................................... Pi.Arss XVII axi. XVIfl,
18. " SCOTICUS,...........................................................................................................Pi,.iTK XIX,
19. “ PERSICUS, . . . ■ .............................................................................. P latk XX,
From an examination lately made of this bird in the British Museum, I
only a llglit-colorcd variety of Lagopus Scoticus, and thcrcfoi-c should bo cons
not in any «ay distinct.
am obliged to state that in my opinion it is
dci'cd as merely a synonym of th a t species, and
20. L.I.OOPUS MUTUS, .........................................................................................................Pi^ìtes XXI ax.
21. “ RÜPESTR1S, .................................................................................................I’l-ATB XXlll.
22. “ IIYPERBOREUS,.................................................................................................Pi.ate XXIV.
29. “ LEUCURUS,..........................................................................................................Pi-ATK XXV,
In this recapitulation I have given, I believe, every ki
entitled to a specific distinctness. As I intend always to
any additional information regarding those bird.», or to lean
)wn species among the 'I'ctraoiiina:, »vhich may
;oep the snhjeot before me, I shall be happy a
of the discovery of iic«' sjiecics.
, the present day bo