LAaOPUS PEPSICUS. G-. E. D r a y .
XUNALEE grouse;
LAGOPUS PERSICUS. Gray, Gcu, of P., vol. iii., pi.—Id., Cat. B. Brit. Mus., Pt, III., p. 48 (1844).
Tiii.s bird, figured by Gray iu tho ivork above quoted, is said to be a native of Persia.
I t is liazardous to announce a specimen of Ptiirniigaii as belonging to an undcseribcd species, unless ample opportunities liavo been
afforded to compare it with otiicrs from the same locality, and which may also show like I’ariations from ivell-kiiowu forms, since the
mcmboi-s of even the same species in tliis genus present differences botli in color of plumage and in the moasurcmonts of tlieir parts,
greater than may bo found in perhaps any other class of birds.
I f one may judge by the lifelike portrait in the accoinpanying plate—the result of Mr. Wolf’s unrivalled skill—this bird bears a
strong rescniblancc to the Jxigopus Scoikus. It is indeed of a lighter color than the typical examples of th a t species, yet ive know that
the Scotch Grouse vary very much, in different localities, in their plnniagc, and it would not be docincd an unnxiial occnrrcuce to find one
of as light a hue as th a t in the illustration.
rtis tlic Ptarmigan are natives of iioithem climes, it may be considered as somewhat strange that one should bo discovered in Persia ;
and therefore it would seem desirable, before admitting this bird to rank as an undoubted species, tliat more specimens should be procured
fi'om the same country, and that they also should present a like peculiar style of coloring in their plumage.
I am without any information in regard to tlio economy or habits of the Kniuileo Grouse, but presume th a t it would in both resemble
tho Lagopus Bcoiiciis.
Mr. Gi'ay gi'CS Kaipariali Persia as the locality whence this specimen came.
The draniiig of this biixl, which gii’cs ns so mncli better an idea of it than the most minute description could, was made from the
specimen in the British Yluscum, and which is the only one, I believe, that has ever boon obtained.