ROCK PTARMIGAN. 47 



caiius of Audubon, — but Baird doubted its validity, and it has 

 been entirely omitted from recent works. I have given above the 

 two biographies as they appeared in Nuttall's book, for together 

 they tell about all that is known of the present species. 



The Willow Ptarmigan ranges through boreal America from 

 Labrador to Alaska, and in winter is quite abundant on the north 

 shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. During some seasons a number 

 have wandered sufficiently near to Quebec and Montreal to get into 

 the markets. 



There are only two instances recorded of the occurrence of this 

 bird south of the St. Lawrence, — one secured by Mr. C. B. Corv 

 on the Magdelen Islands, and the second shot by Dr. C. Hart 

 Merriam in Lewis County, northern New York. 



Note. — A variety of this species — Allen's Ptarmigan 

 (Z. lagopus alleni) was described by Dr. Stejneger in 1884. It 

 differs from true lagopus in having the wing-feathers mottled with 

 black, and black shafts. This race is restricted to Newfoundland. 



ROCK PTARMIGAN. 



Lagopus rupestris. 



Char. Similar to the Willow Ptarmigan, but smaller (length about 

 14 inches), and in summer displays more black and less of the rufous 

 tint. Also distinguished by a line of black running through the eyes. 



Nest. A mere depression, with a slight covering of grass and moss. 



Eggs. S-16 (usually 10) ; buff or pale reddish brown, marked with 

 darker brown ; 1.70 X 1.20. 



This species is nearly allied to the Common Ptarmigan, but 

 is smaller, has more of the brownish yellow in its summer 

 dress, broader bars of black, and none of the cinereous tint 

 which prevails in the livery of the Ptarmigan. In winter it 

 is only distinguishable by its size. This species is, according 

 to Hutchins, numerous at the two extremities of Hudson Bay, 

 but does not appear at the middle settlements (York and 

 Severn factories) except in ver}^ severe seasons, when the 

 Willow Grouse are scarce. It abounds in Melville Island in 

 the dreary latitude of 74 and 75 degrees in the short summers 



