228 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



of Minneapolis, has sent us an analysis of nine specimens of Bonasa from 

 various parts of the state, which he sums up as follows: "The confusion 

 is extreme, and if there is any object whatever in recognizing the two 'va- 

 rieties' the only conclusion which can be arrived at for Minnesota is that 

 this region is on the borderland between the two forms, with no distinctly 

 differentiated individuals, but with the togata element preponderating 

 throughout the state, reaching, as might be supposed, its most marked de- 

 velopment toward the Canadian boundary. It is probably true, as no little 

 evidence goes to show, that individuals of the same brood show wide varia- 

 tion, including, indications of both varieties. I cannot see that any good 

 purpose is subserved by recognizing these different color phases'^ (Letter, 

 June 5, 1909). 



So far as we can learn the two forms of Ruffed Grouse in question do not 

 differ materially in habits, although the fact that the Canadian Ruffed 

 Grouse is partial to spruce swamps will doubtless be found to imply some- 

 what different food from that of the more southern bird.* 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 



Similar to the ordinary Ruffed Grouse, but "Darker, with brown markings on lower 

 parts very conspicuous, everywhere exposed, and bordered by very distinct clusky bars; 

 bars on flanks very dark brown, or brownish black. Upper parts with more or less of gray, 

 often mostly grayish, the tail usually gray (sometimes tinged with ochraceous) " (Ridgway) 



124. Willow Ptarmigan. Lagopus lagopus lagopus {Linn.). (301) 



Synonyms: Ptarmigan, Common Ptarmigan, Willow Grouse, White Grouse, Snow 

 Grouse. — Tetrao lagopus, Linn., 1758. — Lagopus albus, Aud., 1839, and authors generally. 



Known in any plumage by the white outer half of wing (primaries and 

 secondaries) ; in winter the whole plumage pure white except the tail, which 

 is black. 



Distribution. — Arctic regions; in America south to Sitka and the British 

 Provinces. Breeding range restricted to the arctic and sub-arctic regions, 

 mainly north of 55° north latitude. Accidental in New England. 



Although we do not know of a Michigan specimen of this bird in any 

 collection, I am satisfied that it formerly occurred regularly in winter on 

 Keweenaw Point, and probably at other Michigan points on the south shore 

 of Lake Superior. According to Dr. Gibbs, Henry Schoolcraft, in a lecture 

 delivered in 1834, mentions this species as taken at Sault Ste. Marie. 

 Stockwell also states that it "is found in limited numbers upon the 

 mountains of the Upper Peninsula" (Forest and Stream, VIII, 241). Both 

 Dr. Gibbs and A. B. Covert state that Rev. P]. H. Day, whom they knew at 

 Cadillac, Michigan, but who formerly lived as a missionary among the 

 Indians on Keweenaw Point, informed them that these "Snow Grouse" 

 or Ptarmigan frequently appeared in large numbers during severe weather 

 and were often killed and used as food. Mr. Covert states that he has 

 talked with lumbermen, hunters, and others who had no special ornitholog- 

 ical knowledge, but who vouched for its occurrence around lumber camps 

 in the Upper Peninsula in winter, giving accurate descriptions. They 

 described it as very tame, sometimes fed by the cooks around the doors 



*The Gray Ruffed Grouse, (/?. u. umhdloidcs) has been attributed to Alichigan once or twice by- 

 sportsmen and writers on popular natural history, but we have no reason to believe that this western 

 subspecies is ever found here. In all probability gray-tailed birds intermediate between umbellus 

 and togata have given rise to these reports. True vnibelloides is confined to the Rocky Mountain 

 region and probably does not range east of Manitoba. 



