438 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ZOOLOGY, VOL. IX. 



grouse supposed to be of this form appear to be only intermediates, 

 and typical umbellus occurs in the most northern counties." (p. 56.) 

 I have never seen a typical specimen of to gala from Wisconsin, all 

 specimens examined being nearer to umbellus than to the northern 

 form. 



Genus LAGOPUS Brisson. 



143. Lagopus lagopus (LINN.). 



WILLOW PTARMIGAN.- 

 .. 

 Distr.: British Provinces to Arctic regions; accidental in northern 



England and probably in other parts of the northern boundary 

 of the United States. 



Willow Ptarmigan. 



Winter plumage, male and female: General plumage, pure white; 

 primaries, white, the shafts, blackish; most of the tail feathers, black, 

 tipped with white; feet, entirely feathered. 



In summer both sexes assume a barred and mottled plumage of 

 rufous brown, black, and buffy white. 



Length, 15 to 17.25; wing, 7.10 to 7.60; bill (nostril), .40. 



The Willow Ptarmigan must be considered a rare bird in extreme 

 northern Wisconsin in winter and it may have occurred in Illinois 

 during the past century, as Robert Kennicott states:* "Sometimes 

 found in the timber along Lake Michigan." Dr. R. P. Hoy procured 



* Catalogue of the Animals observed in Cook Co., Illinois. Trans. 111. State AgriculUiral Soc., 

 Vol. I, 1853, P. 586. 



