106 THE GAME BIRDS 
white, except that the tail is black. Ornith- 
ologists have lately divided this species into 
two. The principal point of difference being 
that the original species has the quills of the 
outer wing feathers white, and the variety 
(allent) black. Bill black and stout. Eyes 
hazel. Length about 17 inches. Extent 
about 24 inches. 
This bird takes the place in the North of 
the grouse in the South, and they afford as 
fine sport in their haunts as do their relatives 
of the South. They are strong flyers, and lie 
well to the dog. 
They are found on the marshy lands, and 
their numbers, in those sections where they 
have not been too much molested, is some- 
thing incredible, their cry of “Go back, go 
back” resounding from every quarter when 
disturbed. 
118. ROCK PTARMIGAN. 
Lagopus rupestris. 
This bird much resembles the foregoing, 
but is smaller, and the color is more of a 
brownish-yellow, and in the winter there is a 
black stripe on each side of the head, which 
is not possessed by No. 117. The bill is more 
slender. Length 14 to 15 inches. Extent 
about 22 inches. 
There are three varieties of this species 
described by the later ornithologists, and an- 
other bird from Newfoundland (L. welcht) 
