142 



North American Birds Eggs. 



302.1. Evermann Ptarmigan. Lagopus crcrmaniii. 



Range.— Attn Islaml of tlie Aleutian group. 



This is, in, summer, the darkest of the Ptarmigans, having little or no rufous 

 and much blackish. The nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the 

 Rock Ptarmigan. 



303. Welch Ptarmigan. Lagopus icrklii. 



Range. — Newfoundland. 



This species, in summer, is more grayish 

 than the Rock Ptarmigan, and is very finely 

 vermiculated with blackish. It is a perfectly 

 distinct species from the Allen Ptarmigan, 

 which is the only other species found on the 

 island. They inhabit the higher ranges and 

 hills in the interior of the island, where they 

 are quite abundant. The}' build their nests on 

 the ground under protection of overhanging 

 bushes. The eggs are laid in a hollow in the 

 dead leaves, sometimes with a lining of grasses. 

 The eggs do not differ in size or appearance 

 from those of the Rock Ptarmigan. Data.— Newfoundland, June Jt, I'.IOI. Nest 

 a slight hollow in the moss, beside a fallen stump; lined with a few feathers. 

 Collector, E. H. Montgomery. 



304. White-tailed Ptarmigan. Lagopus Icurunifi. 



Range. — Higher ranges of the Rockv Mountains, from New Mexico north to 

 Alaska. 



This species differs from any of the preceding in having at all seasons of the 

 year, a white tail; it is also somewhat smaller than the Rock Ptarmigan. They 

 nest abundantly near the summits of the ranges in Colorado, making their 

 nests among the rocks, and generally lining them with a few grasses. During 

 June, they lay from six to twelve eggs having a creamy background, speckled 

 and blotched with chestnut brown. Size 1.70 x 1.15. 



304a. Kenai White-tailed Ptarmigan. LfigopiiK Iraciinis pcitiiixulaiis. 



Range. — Kenai Peninsular, Alaska. A similar but paler (in summer) variety 

 of the preceding. The nesting habits or eggs will not differ. 



305. Prairie Hen. Tympanurhu>< amrrirnuiifi. 



Range. — The prairies, chiefly west of the Mississippi; north to Manitoba, east 

 to Ohio, and west to Colorado. 



This familiar game bird of the west is about 18 inches in length, brownish 

 above and grayish below, with bars of brownish black both above and below. 

 In the place of the ruffs of the Ruffed Grouse, are long tufts of rounded or square 

 ended feathers, and beneath these a peculiar sac, bright orange in the breeding 



