THE WILLOW GROUSE. 



495 



berries that lie on the ground, and on the buds of the willow and larches. The eggs of a single 

 nest number twelve or thirteen usually. 



The Columbian Sharp -tail is found more to the southward. The plains and prairies of 

 Wisconsin and Illinois abound with them. This bird is found much farther west than the 

 prairie chicken, the latter being confined to the region east of the Mississippi valley. A strik- 

 ing peculiarity is seen in the two middle tail-feathers being two inches longer than the others. 



THE WILLOW GBOUSE (Lagopus albus), or WHITE PTARMIGAN, so called, inhabits the 

 fur countries as far north as the seventieth parallel. Between that to the fiftieth it is partially k 

 migratory. It is known to breed among the Rocky Mountains on the barren grounds, and 

 along the Arctic coasts. It assembles in vast flocks during the winter, on the shores of 



WILLOW GROUSE. Lagopus albus. (Wluter Plumage.) 



Hudson's Bay. Many thousands of these birds are captured at Severn River. They seek the 

 willows in winter, feeding on the buds. At night, they penetrate the snow and Ije concealed, 

 and do the same when pursued by birds of prey, working their way into a mass of snow with 

 considerable facility. 



This species is an interesting example of the adaptation of plumage to surroundings as a 

 protective means. The winter plumage is pure white, thus being as well protected as is possible 

 to any object exposed in open plains covered with snow. As the spring comes, and the bare 

 rocks begin to appear, the plumage changes gradually, both by the fading of some coloration 

 and by the moulting of feathers, until the red plumage is fully assumed, closely agreeing with 

 the reddish and gray colors of the rocks. The males are said to assume this darker plumage 

 sooner than the females. The former mount some rocky eminences, and call upon their mates, 

 who are yet buried in the snow, and have not yet changed their colors. These birds are 

 fond of the twilight, and are more frequently seen at such times. An unusual attachment is 

 said to be exhibited by the male of this species for its mate, especially during the breeding 

 time. 



