McGill Library
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Scottish Ptarmigan
Rock Ptarmigan, female
Lagopus muta
Ch. Collins Fect. 1741;
Item
1 watercolour painting ; 56 x 39 cm + 1 leaf
Charles Collins was an Irish painter, known for his portraits of animals and still-lifes. He achieved success in England painting exotic birds, game, dogs and dead game still-lifes. He was the painter for Robert Furber’s ‘Twelve Months of Fruit’ (1732). In 1736 he published in collaboration with John Lee a set of 12 large engravings, coloured by hand, of British birds in landscape and garden settings, entitled Icones avium cum nominibus anglicis. He then came to the attention of Taylor White, who engaged him to paint birds from his and others’ collections until 1743. Collins died in 1744, when he was described as ‘Bird Painter to the Royal Society.’
Drawing of a fpair of female Rock Ptarmigans from 18th century specimens [modern geographical distribution: Canada, Alaska, and Scandinavia].
Manuscript note on front of drawing: Ch. Collins Fect. 1741 Scottish Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus millaisi Hart.)
Manuscript note on back of drawing: The other particoloured Lagopus of Gesner called in Scotland from whence I had it the Tormagon
Scientific name: Lagopus muta
With manuscript text on accompanying leaf.
Transcription of manuscript note on accompanying leaf: Lagopus variegatus Gesnr
Will. Orn. p. 176
The particoloured
Lagopus of Gesner.
called in Scotland
The Tormagon.
N.B. I have not heard of any of this
species that has been found perfectly
White in Scotland tho it greatly resembles
The White game
Translation of manuscript note on accompanying leaf: Lagopus variegatus Gesn[er]
Will. Orn. p. 176
The particoloured
Lagopus of Gesner.
called in Scotland
The Tormagon.
N.B. I have not heard of any of this
species that has been found perfectly
White in Scotland tho[ugh] it greatly resembles
The White game